Caledonia Argus

Board accepts Lingenís resignation

Posted: 6/4/02

By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Reporter

Superintendent Percy Lingen has been offered a position as superintendent at the International Falls School District. She announced her resignation at the June 3 meeting of the school board.

The district is located right next to the Canadian border in northern Minnesota.

Lingen was scheduled to visit the school yesterday, Tuesday, June 4, to accept the offer.

According to the local International Falls newspaper, The Daily Journal, the Falls school district conducted site interviews in Caledonia for Lingen last week.

Lingenís position with the International Falls School District will begin July 1, 2002, according to the paper. The terms of the contract have not been worked out.

Severance pay issue worked out by board

Three board member met in private Monday night, June 3, before making a recommendation to the full board on the severance pay for Superintendent Lingen.

When the issue of Lingenís resignation was brought to the full board, board member Barb Hurley balked at the severance amount of $16,347.50 stating, ìHer contract actually goes for one more year and we should negotiate with her.î

The board has the right to ask for a six month notice from Lingen before releasing her from her three year contract, which is up in one year.

Lingenís initial severance amount included pay for 16 vacation days and 32.19 sick days at the rate of $339.23 per day.

At the suggestion of board member Bruce Bulman, the three board members, himself, Board chair Cheryl Whitesitt, and Hurley met in private and returned with a recommendation for $2,000 less severance, a total of $14,347.50.

The board voted 4-3 to approve Lingenís resignation effective June 30, 2002.

Those opposed were board member Chuck Schulte, Hurley and Suzanne Roesler.

Schulte stated, ìWe negotiated a contract and someone is looking to get out. $2,000 is far less than what we would have to pay to get out. And these are dollars that we are already trying to figure out where weíre going to get them.î

Roesler said she did not oppose the severance amount rather that it not be paid in one lump sum until the fiscal year has ended so that it may be determined where the money will come from.

Lingen said the money would have to come from a budget transfer from a different fund, such as the special education dollars or fuel fund.

Before the private meeting, Schulte expressed his concern about Lingen leaving and wondered about the budget for next year, having no interim superintendent lined up and there being a referendum planned.

Lingen said the revenues budget for next year has been completed and double checked and the expenditures budget should be confirmed by the end of this week.

She added, ìItís not my intent to leave Caledonia high and dry, but to train in my interim.î

Board members were presented with a list of potential interim people by the Minnesota School Board Association. They were also given a suggested time line for hiring a new superintendent.

A vacancy announcement was suggested for September 1, 2002 with the new superintendent starting January 1, 2003.

It was noted that interim superintendents do not usually have formal contracts rather there is a letter of agreement. Also, interims are not offered a benefits packages but are paid a daily or monthly rate.

Some board members thought it would seem better to begin the hiring process for a new superintendent as soon as possible rather than waiting till September.

Board Chair Cheryl Whitesitt explained that the pool of candidates will deepen around September.

Bulman thought January was too long of a time line to have people waiting to begin the position.

Hurley asked, ìWhy a deadline? Why not advertise until the position is filled?î

Whitesitt said, ìThe more successful ones are with deadlines.î

The board approved a motion to begin contacting potential interim candidates and requesting resumes.

Hurley suggested setting up a meeting after some of the calls and resumes have been received.

Top of Page