Curious
Things got curiouser and curiouser Tuesday night as the Downers Grove Grade School District 58 school board entertained a recommendation by Superintendent Dale Martin to hire a benefits consultant to examine district health insurance costs.
Curious because the district has been self-insured for 20 years, employing a third-party administrator to solicit bids from insurers.
Curious because, prior to last month, the district apparently never has considered using a benefits consultant and did not request competing bids for that service.
And curious because the administration’s own insurance committee didn’t discuss the matter, much to the distress of the Downers Grove Education Association which went on record with its dissatisfaction at the meeting.
Martin explained that he got a referral to the consultant, Group Alternatives Inc. (GAI) of Schaumburg, from his counterpart in Naperville District 203.
“We think the insurance companies are making too much money on us,†Martin said of the district’s spiraling $5 million costs for medical, dental, life and long-term disability insurance.
GAI’s three-year, $180,000 proposal would include a review of the district’s benefits plans, a strategy for controlling costs, and a guarantee that the district would receive 15 bids from insurers, instead of the two or three it typically receives.
But board member Marshall Schmitt questioned why the administration didn’t solicit other bids for the service and expressed concern that the GAI contract didn’t specify in detail the scope of services to be rendered.
Martin was visibly agitated that approval of the contract—which could be canceled without cause after seven months—might be delayed.
Noting that a request-for-proposal process could take weeks, “there’s a good chance we won’t have this in time for (teacher) negotiations†in January, Martin said.
When member Scott O’Connell asked why the process wasn’t started earlier, Martin responded “I didn’t know a benefits consultant existed.â€
But what neither Martin nor O’Connell bothered to explain was the impetus behind the sudden reconsideration of the district’s insurance program.
Reportedly, the freshman board member has been delving into district records, trying to determine why its premiums are so steep. He’s also researched how other districts—Community School District 99, among them—manage their insurance costs.
O’Connell has caught a lot of heat, from the board and in the community, for his curiosity concerning District 58 financial affairs.
But if there is money to be saved in insurance premiums—big money—this taxpayer is glad someone is asking the right questions.
Curiouser and curiouser…
Wasn’t Martin taking a job in Michigan?
As I recall he was one of the finalists, but didn’t get the job.
EJ
I was just wondering,
Does the D58 board report to the Superintendant or does he report to them???
The Super should do what board members ask him to do, or go do something else where he doesn’t have to report to anybody.
I understand the Super. was a bit anxious at the nature of the questioning, which was merely trying to get to the bottom of murky expenditures and procedures. Usually, when people raise their voices, instead of getting answers, there is a problem.
Is their any legal responsibilty when you are the Superintendent or a board member and there has been such financial chaos and mismanagement of funds? It certainly seems to me that Dale Martin has not been doing his job. It has been to the credit of Scott O’Connell that all this money has been “found” in the District 58 budget.
I did not vote for Mr. O’Connell, but I have to admit, a shake up might just have been what the tax payers needed. He may not be “politician of the Year” but if the tax payers wanted a huntin dog…they certainly got one.
I would only assume the cupability board members have with regard to the financial mess of D58 and the perceived chaos in the accouting systems, would be felt during re-election….who is up next for re-election? or should I say, resignation?
When asked why the process wasn’t started earlier, Martin responded “I didn’t know a benefits consultant existed.â€
Does anyone else find that stunning? First of all, there are consultants for virtually everything nowadays. Forget that for a moment, Martin says he found out about it from his counterpart in Naperville District 203 because, “We think the insurance companies are making too much money on us.†The light bulb just went off as to that possibility?
Let me get this straight. Very recently, for the first time, the D58 Superintendent questioned his peers about the high cost of insurance and what they are doing to combat it. That’s amazing on its face, but add to the equation that D58 asked the taxpayers to kick more into the kitty earlier this year. Don’t you think he should have been asking his peers, if not any sooner, at least by last year since it supposedly looked like we were confronting a financial shortfall?
Incredible! Absolutely incredible.
I just went back to some old threads about the SB race and referendum. In the thread called, “D58 candidates forum tonight,†Tom Cunningham made a post that had a link which provided “more complete, full answers to each of the questions posed (and even a couple that weren’t) at a new page on my website, which you can find at this link.â€
I tried the link because I wanted to see the answers. Unfortunately, it only gives you the dreaded “This page cannot be found.†I realize the site was for his election and the election has been held, but does anyone know where Mr. Cunningham’s more complete (not just a soundbite) answers to the questions posed at the Candidates Forum can be found?
I feel the treatment/tone Dale Martin uses with the school board is appalling. It resembles the behavior of a bully or a child who’s parents don’t set boundaries and fail to tell their child N-O! I’m sure he has some wonderful qualities but respectfully interacting with other is not a strongpoint. Who is in charge here? Who SHOULD be in charge?
Board members – Good leadership starts from the top. We all know life gets busy and every so often we need to step back, reevaluate if our “child’s” behavior is appropriate. If not, it is time to set some tighter boundaries and get firm with our “child.” It is not okay to bully and disrespect others. District 58 has a zero tolerance for bullying behavior. Does this not hold true for adults – our LEADER? If I were a board member I would be embarassed and humiliated that I allowed myself to be treated the way Dale Martin has treated you. He is not the only person qualified to be our superintendent. The fact he is job hunting shows he may be as discontent with the district as the district seems to be with him. Maybe that is the crux of his unkind behavior, who knows…regardless, it is time to teach all humans are worthy of respect. In my experience, this is best done by example. He needs to be held accountable.
EJ, where do we stand on getting the meetings televised? Have you ever had your child mimic your “not so best behavior?” It is a big wake up call. I think viewing ones own behavior can be an excellent eye opener.
When recently at a get together, I asked some friends how Pierce Downer won the Blue Ribbon Award. First I was told, the school has to be nominated. Next, a very detailed, time consuming paper has to be written stating the school’s accomplishments. They proclaim to have an outstanding principal who isn’t afraid to make change and who instills her own quest for excellence in her teachers as well as the students. They said she is KIND, takes the time to LISTEN while still commanding RESPECT and not being a pushover. It is amazing and refreshing to hear so many parents be so proud of their school leader. Something to think about………….Couldn’t the whole district benefit from a leader like that?
AM: I, too, was stunned that Martin would make that admission, and in a rather belligerent way, too. Interestingly, just last night the council was discussing insurance and the manager mentioned that Village Hall also uses a benefits consultant.
As for Cunningham’s answers, I’m not sure you’ll be able to find what you’re looking for, but Cunningham’s campaign site up is still up at http://www.tomfor58.com. If you click on Referendum 2007, you’ll find a plethora of financial and other documents–far more than D58 has available on its official site.
Moto: Given past history, I would look for any incumbents who choose to run next time to get reelected–and easily. Why? Because the D58 race always seems to come down to two questions: Who best understands the appropriate “role” of the school board and who professes to care most about “the children.”
Now, I’m not against appropriateness or children, but I do expect my elected officials to represent the voters, particularly when 70 percent of our property tax dollars are going to support our school districts. To do so is absolutely in the best interest of our children. If we’ve been overspending for insurance for 20 years, that’s a lot of money that could have been put into the classrooms, isn’t it?
As for the appropriate role of the school board–I’m working on a column on that topic in an attempt to explain (at least to myself) why the D58 board has consistently acted in a way that seems more beholding to the administration than the public. Look for it in the Sun in a couple of weeks.
EJ
It’s Time,
I recently wrote a column about meeting minutes that discussed the school districts’ apparent unwillingness to put televising or podcasting meetings on the front burner. This despite the fact that every candidate for D58 and D99 pledged their support for broadcasting meetings during last spring’s campaign.
My advice to you and to anyone else who would like to see or at least hear the meetings is to let your elected board members know it. Just as a side note, I got to the D58 meeting a little late on Monday. Almost every seat was taken and they had run out of agendas. If more parents and taxpayers decide they’re interested in the workings of the board, where are they supposed to sit? I’d say it’s time for a podcast.
EJ
Average Man: Have you asked him for the file you seek?
Average Man was looking for a copy of http://www.tomfor58.com/Site/Forum%20Answers.html (a file) which is no longer online. I simply wondered whether he had asked Mr. Cunningham directly for it.
What price should we pay for a superintendent to spurn the sincere questions by our elected Board members?
I haven’t been to a meeting where Dr. Martin did not become flustered, short and belligerent. I have spoken to parents from various schools who felt verbally intimidated and threatened by him. I have heard comments about crass and off-color comments by him.
What price should we pay for such a public official charged with managing our schools and responding to our input and concerns?
$200,000+.
Nearly as much as the Super of the Chicago public school system, which is substantially larger.
Not all board memebers are angels as well. Meg Schroeder of the district 99 board has a mouth that will not quit. Can you say truck driver language? I concur with and have either experienced or heard the same thing that Mr. Theisen has. But any time you get different personalities together, there are sure to have sparks to follow.
I think the point is simply this: If ever we, as adults, are to be on our best behavior, one would hope it is within the school environment.
How much time and money do you think our school districts have spent addressing the issue of bullying in our schools?
Shouldn’t we expect parents, teachers, school board members and superintendents to model appropriately respectful behavior — even when discussions are heated? And if they don’t, shouldn’t they be subject to disciplinary or other appropriate action?
EJ
BINGO!
I was/am closer to D99 than to D58, but it sounds like the same position is taken there, and maybe moreso….they DON’T want us to SEE them weekly on TV! I’ve seen Board Members roll their eyes, flip their pens and generally and not so subtly disrespect those who do attend the meetings.
I can almost guarantee that if people saw on a weekly basis the actions by the D99 Board, it would be a different Board to see after the next election. Perhaps D58 is on that same track.
At the very least, they should be recorded for audio boradcasts. i.e. Podcasts.
The village turned that around pretty quickly. At least it appeared that way.
Come on D58 and D99. Take baby steps! I don’t care, but do something to “show” yourselves!
“Can you say truck driver language?”
Truck driver language. What do I win?
Thinking it over, it still seems almost impossible to believe Dr. Martin just now started thinking about insurance costs. If it is, why now? Is outside scrutiny prompting this action? Is D58′s cost of insurance (or more likely the cost of the entire benefit package) something being looked into by Mr. O’Connell, Mr. Jaros and/or some watchdog group? The timing of this is striking. For 20 years a 3rd party administrator takes care of it, with apparently the District relying upon them. O’Connell, who says, in essence, there’s enough money if it’s used the right way, gets elected to the SB. Suddenly, we’re looking at insurance costs (to the tune of $180,000 over 3 years). When was the last time there was any sort of assessment of insurance costs? Why suddenly now?
I’m not saying there’s a great conspiracy going on. I am saying, however, there’s a possiblity (note I’m saying possiblity) the D58 administration got lazy over the years, approved things pro forma, didn’t investigate, didn’t look over the budget as closely as they would have if it was their own money being spent at home and now there’s a flurry of activity to do things that maybe (note I said maybe) should have been done all along the way. Think about the admission there was more money (a lot more money, $3 million I think) that they thought at the end of this fiscal year. How hard could they have paying attention?
EJ,
After the failed referendum, after the obvious “tail wagging the dog” as it pertains to Martin v. The Board, after appearance of incompetance by Martin’s financial management skills….Are the D58 Board incumbants truly in the drivers seat come re-election?
I would think any challenger would have a whole snootful of ammo to shoot down an incumbant. And if Oconnell could find a bit more tack with his approach, we might find turnover at the D58 board not a bad thing. “what about the Children” goes only so far when dealing with Financil incompetance, especially in this town.
I agree with Scott T. and have heard from our neighbors that Mr. Martin in a bully. Last year I watched the “budget” meeting on Channel 6 and the superintendent of our schools was cocky, arrogant and disrespectful to those asking questions. This was a broadcast. I was appalled. As a product of District 58 and now a doctoral candidate in Education it is unnerving to see such a person representing our district. Is he really in this for our children and the community? As I told others last spring – when I voted against the referendum – I was not voting against our children but against the current board and their apathy toward doing what they are elected to do. While I have had numerous courses in educational finance, I do not consider myself an expert but it does not take a rocket scientist to see that the financial dealings of this district are questionable, could be considered shady and need to be addressed with a fine toothed comb. I would hate for the state to have to come in and see what is happening here.
As for Dr. Martin – he serves at the pleasure of the board. Who is leading who here? Board members take notice and do your jobs and supervise this man who is running amuck with this fine district. FIRE the man and let’s got on with it. He is definitely unhappy here as he has been looking at more than one position (some of us have friends in districts that he has applied in) and there is no need for the rest of us to be as well. Do search out Dr. Mondale at Pierce Downer she has been an inspiration to the school and the district. She is an excellent role model of what an educational leader should be and should do. Perhaps Dr. Martin could learn a thing or two from her.
At the referendum meeting I attended back when Martin pretty much ‘lost the room’ with a very bad presentation. A bunch of people there who came looking for a reason to vote YES supporting our schools came away as NO votes after Martin was done. He tried to talk over our heads, intimated we could not understand the complexities, said if this one failed they would ask for more next time, that he could just as well retire… he just kept shooting himself in the foot over and over. A well known ex-village council commissioner just shredded him with simple common sense questions that he either could not or would not answer directly.
The experience of everyone in that room was reflective of the majority of posters here. The talk afterward was that Martin just came off as aloof and arrogant.
I talked with Cunningham after that, and in hindsight it seems he bought a bill of goods. He’s a good guy who maybe bought into Martin with too much faith, or not enough skepticism, or both. But the Super is supposed to be the guy in the know, so I can see where TC or the board might want to beleive they could just trust Martin to do the right thing and take care of business.
BJ Miller,
I could not have said it better or clearer than you! Thank you for putting the words into print for me.
Dr. Martin needs to go and the board needs to do its job which is to ask for his resignation. I am certain that there are other qualified, cooperative, and informed candidates out there who would LOVE his position and treat the position, the board, and the parents with the respect they deserve!
Bridget A. Dougherty
What kind of parachute will he get? DG overgives to departing mucky mucks regardless of how little they really deserve.
I’d be happy just to see him shown the door, and advise him not to let it hit him on the way out.
Golden Parachute? Let’s see how things play out before firing the guy (oh, the power of blogs). Many had the knee jerk reaction that O’Connell was a terrible person. Now, after a few months, a lot more people are saying maybe he’s right on some things.
Zqxthree, I have not directly asked Mr. Cunningham. I probably won’t and here’s my reasoning. I think something is going to turn up with this insurance situtation. Something just doesn’t seem right about it. I’m not saying it will be huge. Maybe it will be, but it doesn’t have to be for what I’m talking about below.
I’m not going to ask Cunningham because I don’t want it to seem like I’m attacking him. Here’s my take. O’Connell is poking his nose around and seeing things he wants to look into. Now that the $3 million of “found money” shows that he’s not a delusional nut job and it might not be a bad idea to look more closely at things, I bet some old SB members are still leery of him, at least in part, because they’re afraid of everyone saying, “This guy’s been on the board less than 6 months and has found this stuff. What the heck were you doing the past 3 years? How come you didn’t find it?”
It’s joke Martin does not know if there are other counciling firms in the business. I would bet there are. Did he bother to check to see if there were? Martin did not check this out until O’Connell made inquiries to 99 as to how they handled their medical programs and they in return contacted Martin.
I was pleased to see Schmitt question this proposal.
So exactly what do we need to do to get Dr. Martin out? I am in favor of paying him whatever it takes to see him go. Do we need to start petitions? Someone please tell me where to start.
My understanding is that the board will have to buy out his contract. How or whether that would impact his retirement benefits, I’m not sure. Maybe someone more in the know will weigh in?
EJ
Let’s stop and think this out. I know lynch mobs are de rigueur in DG this year but this matter needs some kid gloves.
Just like many of you I have seen our current super at his worst. His pattern of arrogance, bullying and, with the recent referendum debacle, incompetence seems to be escalating. I too would love to see him scurry off into pension paradise but friends tell me he only has 1 1/2 years left on his current contract. It seems somewhat foolish to buy him off to the tune of $400K but we can’t just wish him away either.
Perhaps Dr. Martin needs to see the writing on the wall that his contract will not be renewed. Really that message needs to come from the board and if they can’t stomach it more vocal bodies at the next meeting (12/10?)should help. I’m no Dr. Phil but given the behavior previously exhibited it seems to me that he will just dig in and fight, and make the kids and staff suffer in the interim, unless this is done in a careful and professional manner.
One friend pointed out that on paper our district looks great therefore the admin might be doing a better job than some think they are. But when you get a close up look….
Dr. Martin does seem to be the worse for wear- does anyone know if he is, perhaps, suffering an illness? At his age, that might explain a few things…
The poor guy did lose his wife within the last 18 months. Certainly, he deserved a break following that personal tragedy.
However, the pattern of behavior I’ve witnessed firsthand predates the loss of his wife and continues to this day unabated. Our district does look good on paper and I’m sure the principals and teachers are doing well by our kids. My only question is: Should the board and public tolerate behavior by the superintendent that is, in the opinion of many, bullying and inappropriate?
Notice, I said “behavior.” IMO, a congenial disposition is to be expected in a public school administrator; it’s just part and parcel of working with the public in a taxpayer-financed job.
This isn’t personal; it isn’t a witch hunt. If Dr. Martin is an able administrator and can address these shortcomings, than I have no problem with his continued employment. My problem–and it’s a big one–is with his ongoing belligerence, and with a school board that for some unfathomable reason allows it to continue.
EJ
Elaine,
If it isn’t obvious, I agree completely. Why do we accept this? Good performance is expected…we are paying a lot for it. Why do we condone bad behavior? Is he the best super in the nation? Is he like a Bobby Knight? Keep winning and we will tolerate the occasional chair.
Maybe it is more…maybe we like the easy solution. Do nothing. Again.
Maybe we hate to admit mistakes. We only need to look east to D.C. to see how ego prohibits doing what is right with saving face.
We should demand a Super Superintendent. One who at least pretends to be enjoying our stressful district.
Who does accept this behavior from our Superintendent? It seems that no one on this blog accepts it although this probably doesn’t represent a balanced cross section of District 58. If it were truly about the kids, Martin would just go away quietly. His staying says that it is all about the money and the pension that those of us in the private sector would drool over.
Given the test scores from our District, the parents and teachers seem to be doing a fine job of educating so maybe that’s why no one seems to care about the board. Also, Dale’s bullying tactics seem to have spread through the board as evidenced by the fact that whenever Mr. O’Connell has something to say, many of the board members seem openly disgusted (is this why they don’t want to televise the meetings?). Is it possible to have a spirited discussion without getting personal? I don’t expect the board to agree on everything but how about some civilized dialogue? Mr. Cunningham may be a fine attorney but these qualities did not seem to help him perform his presidential duties when O’Connell joined the board. I am happy to see him step aside and I hope to see Joe Leo do a better job leading the current board. The board members have a difficult, time consuming job and I appreciate their commitment but I wish they would check their attitudes at the door and act more professional. The next election is in the spring and maybe it’s time for more change.
Was anyone at the Financial Workshop this week? I’m curious if the board approved the hiring of the insurance consultant without soliciting other proposals. For those of us who are out of town, it would be nice to have a podcast.