BUTZ ON HOT SEAT
SE DELCO BOARD MEMBER IRKED, ASKS SUPER IF HE’S APPLIED TO OTHER DISTRICTS; NEW DEAL AXED
FOLCROFT » The head of the Southeast Delco School Board has openly questioned the superintendent’s allegiance to the district at a recent meeting.
School board President Theresa Harris-Johnson asked two questions of Superintendent Stephen Butz on Dec. 4, days after a heavily attended meeting that resulted in the board voting to rescind his contract extension granted on Nov. 15.
“I’d like to know now, since you have been superintendent of the Southeast Delco School District, have you supported, have you always been committed as superintendent of the district?” asked Harris-Johnson of Butz.
“I made a statement about this at the special meeting indicating I have been fully supportive in fulfilling my duties as superintendent,” said Butz. “It was clearly indicated at the special meeting and I intend to continue in that position.”
“And also,” Harris-Johnson replied to Butz’ response, “since you have been superintendent, have you applied to be a superintendent in any other school district?”
“That is not information that is relevant to this group and does not impact in the signing of a contract,” replied Butz.
After a pause, Harris Johnson only said “OK, thank you.”
On Tuesday afternoon, Butz confirmed he has not been seeking employment elsewhere.
“Since the majority showed a desire to renew my contract (in late June) I have not applied to any other school districts,” he said. “Once the board gave me an indication, through following up with them individually, I indicated I was interested, and they were too. My intention is to continue working as superintendent of Southeast Delco. I agreed to the terms of the contract and so did the board.”
Working on the last year of his current contract, Butz added that if knew the board was looking to go another route he would be looking for other employment. A rumor that he is currently looking for work, or had been, he claims, does not count as justification to rescind the contract.
No reason has been given for why the board overturned Butz’s contract by a 6-3 vote, and Harris-Johnson’s inclination that Butz’s candidacy for positions in other districts was the first possible hint for the possible rescission.
District resident Michelle Fetterolf asked Harris Johnson on her reasons for asking Butz about seeking a position in another district.
“My point is that if this is true I think that the community and the district should be made aware that he has seeked employment in another ...” Harris-Johnson responded before Fetterolf jumped back in.
“That’s not germane to whether or not he gets a contract here,” Fetterolf replied. “It’s another thing that you’re doing wrong to this man. How dare you? That is completely inappropriate.”
At the end of his contract on June 30 Butz will have served as superintendent for nine years, with an ending salary of approximately $175,000.
Butz ardently declared his support for the district at the Nov. 30 meeting, saying, “I am fully committed to the Southeast Delco School District, and fully committed to continuing to fulfill my responsibilities and my current term.”
A new school board committee will be created to work on Butz’ potential contract extension with appointees yet to be determined by Harris-Johnson. Only school board members will make up the committee. The board would have to approve the committee and its membership.
Butz said he does not agree with this committee because of the contract that was already signed by him and the appropriate school district officials, but agreed to at least meet to discuss that contract.