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Hubbard board delays contract approval
By DANNY RESTIVO
HUBBARD
The board of education has tabled a vote to approve a shared-services contract with a neighboring school district.
The board delayed action Wednesday night on the contract that spells out the financial details of sharing a treasurer with the Liberty Local School District.
The board’s decision comes after the Liberty Board of Education approved an agreement Monday creating a treasurer position for Rhonda Baldwin-Amorganos, Hubbard’s district treasurer.
Dr. Benjamin M. Hayek, Hubbard board president, said some of the wording in the contract needs clarification before the board can proceed.
“We want to make sure the details in the contract protect her current position in Hubbard,” said Hayek. “We just want to make sure all the terms are up front.”
He said the board would seek advice from the district’s attorney, who also serves Liberty.
According to the proposed agreement, Hubbard and Liberty agree to work cooperatively to resolve any real or perceived financial conflict of interest that arises.
The agreement also stipulates that the two districts will split payment of Baldwin-Amorganos’ salary and retirement pickup, 65-35 percent, which amounts to $45,029 from Hubbard and $24,246 from Liberty. The contract would expire July 31, 2013.
Baldwin-Amorganos said she will continue to work for both districts while the details are clarified. She and Hayek both said they plan to get the item approved during a Jan. 9 meeting.
The proposed shared- services agreement is an effort to help Liberty with its cash-strapped budget. The Ohio Department of Education assigned a financial oversight commission to the Liberty district after it was placed in fiscal emergency in July 2011. Under Ohio law, a school district assigned to fiscal oversight must look at shared services as a cost-savings option.
Earlier this month, Liberty and Hubbard agreed to share Baldwin-Amorganos as an interim treasurer, after former Liberty Treasurer Jim Wilson resigned Nov. 30.
She replaced Wilson, who made slightly more than $65,000 a year, including benefits.
Baldwin-Amorganos said the contract does not have to be approved by Liberty’s fiscal oversight commission to begin her payment, but it does have be approved by her employer, Hubbard School District. She said she would be paid for all services rendered after the agreement’s approval.