I am writing to address a matter of utmost importance, to the citizens and taxpayers of Summit County, regarding the renewal of the Park City School District’s superintendent’s contract. As you may be aware, there are impending changes within the board as three members are leaving and will not be re-running for reelection in November.
Of these departing members, there there seems to be a strong push to renew the superintendent’s contract now before the election of new members of the board, which is well ahead of the scheduled renewal date of the Superintendents contract in February 2025.
It appears this premature renewal is being pursued by the outgoing members of the board to either 1) ensure a substantial severance pay of approximately $415,000 in taxpayer dollars for salary and benefits if the superintendent’s contract is not renewed by the incoming board members; or 2) guarantee her another two years and tie the hands of the new members as to who they can work with.
This is politics at its worst. The majority of the board may leave office and stick the incoming board with a contract they have no say in. This is not the democratic way to address this issue. The superintendent’s contract should be the business of the incoming board, not the outgoing board.
Given the potential financial implications and the discord surrounding the issue of renewal to find a superintendent who is more transparent and accountable to the taxpayers, it is imperative that you as board members address this matter with prudence and careful consideration for the best interests of the students, parents and taxpayers. The timing of the superintendent’s contract renewal is crucial, and a premature decision will have significant financial repercussions.
I sincerely urge the school board to carefully deliberate on this matter and consider the long-term implications to the taxpayers before making any early decisions regarding the superintendent’s contract renewal prior to the scheduled contract renewal date.
And I sincerely urge anyone wanting to gain additional insight into this decision to attend a Park City School Board meeting to ask questions and get involved. After all, the largest part of our property tax bill is for the schools. Please don’t waste our money.
Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.
Daniel Bass
Park City