Why Did Dr. Mutchler Receive A Car Loan

For more than 10 years I have been attending Geneva School District Board meetings on a regular basis.  I want to share with the community my experience with the board over the last month.  Bottom line because of their dislike of me asking questions, they have made the decision not to answer me in any matter.  This decision from the Board President who just a few weeks ago was quoted as saying, “I know our debt is a big concern, but you don’t have to wait for a public meeting," he said. "We want everybody to know the board is available to answer any questions. Call me. My phone number’s in the book. I’m glad to discuss anything with any members of the community."

I don’t want to meet any board member one-on-one because the discussion is not on the record and the answer is not shared with the rest of the community. 

At the October 28th Geneva School Board meeting, during public comments, I asked why board members agreed to a Superintendent contract that included; a 2.5% salary increase, a $9,000 performance bonus, a $800 monthly travel allowance & a 2-year interest free car loan.

The Board President stated that it is their policy not to answer questions from the public during the public comment period.  No board member responded to my question.

The next day, I e-mailed the following to the board:

 Dear Board Members:

Last year at this time the school board was involved in difficult discussions with the Geneva Education Association for a new teachers contract. The board held firm that teachers would need to accept a salary freeze in the first year.

In August of 2013, five school board members approved a new superintendent contract which included the following:

1. a 2.5% salary increase
2. a $9,000 performance bonus
3. a flat fee of $800 per month for travel expenses within the Regional School District area
4. under separate action, the board approved a $4,300 interest free car loan for 2 years to Dr. Mutchler

Since the contract was not made public till well after the vote, it was impossible for any Geneva School District resident to question any details. I'm requesting that each of the five members that approved the contract please explain their logic.  I'm especially interested in the rational for the $9,000 performance bonus and the use of taxpayer's money for an interest free car loan for an employee that has a total compensation package of over $250,000.

I had followed the President’s suggestion to e-mail the question to the board.  On October 30th, I received the following email:

From: board 

To: Bob McQuillan  

Sent: Wednesday, October 30, 2013 3:56 PM
Subject: RE: Response - Question for the Geneva Community District 304 School Board

Dear Mr. McQuillian,

I am making an exception in my email reply to you.  I wish to remind you, that last year I advised you that I would no longer reply to your emails.  This action was taken because of your personal attacks on individual Board members, name calling and your confrontational behavior.  I will discuss any issues or answer questions in person.  Regarding your subject, the Superintendent has a performance base contract and is evaluated by the Board each year.  I would suggest you read the articles written in both the Chronicle and Daily Herald regarding the Superintendent’s contract.

Mark Grosso, President
Board of Education
Geneva CUSD 304

 I responded with the following:

Mr. Grosso:

In response to your accusation that I have made personal attacks on individual board members, did "name calling" and I have a confrontational behavior, the allegations are not true.  I have NEVER publicly attacked any individual school board member.  I have always addressed the board in a group setting and while I have disagreed with many board decisions, my responses have NEVER been to any individual.  I don't even know how to address the "naming call," as I don't know what you are referring to.   This is a childish accusation and not worthy of an answer.  As to having a confrontational style, the board by their refusal to answer questions or even listen to any resident's ideas has forced me to be "confrontational." 

You say you welcome the public to the school board meetings but refuse to answer any questions.  That makes no sense.  As elected officials, every board member has the responsibility to be accountable to every resident. You don't have the ability to ignore those people that disagree with board decisions.  If you, or any other board member, is not willing to be accountable to all residents, then I suggest you resign.

As to the newspapers articles, I read the Daily Herald (8/31) and the Chronicle (8/28) and neither mentioned the $4,300 interest free car loan. When did the District get into the business of offering car loans let alone interest free ones!  Do other District employees receive the same benefit?  Whose idea was the car loan, the superintendent or the boards?  The Chronicle actually quoted you as saying, "a copy of the contract will be available later this week once it is typed up, lawyers go over it and it is signed."  Clearly I could not ask a question about the contract when it was voted on as you suggested Monday night because no copies were available.  To date, the contract is still not on the district website.  I FOIA'ed it last week since that was my only option.  

While I realize the superintendent took a prior two-year salary freeze, I believe he also received additional vacation days in those years.  The new contract effectively pays him back for that two-year freeze in one year (2.5% raise & $9,000 "performance bonus").  The 2013-2014 contract was a slap in the face to residents who supported a one year teacher salary freeze. The same is true of all staff that accepted that freeze.  Are we to expect that all staff will receive a $9,000 performance bonus with the next contract?  What works for the superintendent should work for other staff, right?

Based on the way you treated me on Monday evening, I'm not interested in meeting with you to discuss the superintendent's contract.  You made it clear that you, nor any other board member, answers questions on the record at a public meeting.  I'm not interested in having any off-the-record conversations as it shows a lack of transparency to all other Geneva School District homeowners.

As a result of board members choosing not to answer my question, I have chosen to pursue another method to get an answer.   That method may come at great expense to the District but that is a decision the board made by refusing to answer a legitimate question from a tax paying homeowner.

Bob McQuillan

At the board meeting last night, I asked again why the contract was approved, especially the car loan.  Again, no board member provided an answer.  I then respectfully requested that since the board would not explain their decision, Dr. Mutchler should repay the car loan by December 15th.  I suggested that the $4,300 be given to the Music Boosters to purchase 9 band uniforms.  Rather than the Boosters needing to request money from residents, the right thing to do for the students and taxpayers would be for the car loan funds to be spent on new uniforms.

The ball is now in the hands of the Board and Dr. Mutchler.  If it is really “all about the kids,” the loan will be paid off and the money given to the Music Boosters.