Delavan-Darien Superintendent offered buyout
Photo 
Wendy Overturf
DELAVAN — Some members of the Delavan-Darien School Board want to get rid of Superintendent Wendy Overturf—so much so that in a recent meeting two board members asked her to consider a buyout of her contract, which isn't set to expire for another two years.
Board President Jeffrey Scherer revealed to The Gazette on Tuesday that he and newly-elected board member Joe Peyer met with Overturf on April 12 to tell her the board likely would not continue to support her as the district's superintendent.
Scherer said that he and Peyer told Overturf at the meeting that the board might offer her a buyout and that she should consider taking one.
Scherer said Overturf had an attorney at the meeting, and she indicated she was interested in negotiating a buyout.
"It was clear to her she did not have the board's support," he said.
At the same meeting, Overturf tentatively agreed to step down as superintendent by May 9, even though she'd said earlier she planned to retire in April 2014, when her two-year rolling contract expires, Scherer said.
Overturf has been superintendent since 2007.
Scherer's comments came following a board meeting Monday that included the swearing in of five newly-elected board members and a closed session during which the board discussed Overturf's employment and other personnel issues.
In a phone interview on Tuesday, Overturf confirmed she'd met April 12 with Scherer and Peyer, but she would not confirm whether she's agreed to negotiate a buyout and to step down by May 9.
"I didn't say I wouldn't consider it," she said.
The board exited its closed session Monday and adjourned without discussing Overturf's status with the district or voting on any items, Scherer said.
The new board has been public about its discontent with Overturf, with multiple members, including Scherer, telling the media earlier this month they'd like to get rid of her, possibly as early as May.
Scherer said some board members believe a new superintendent could turn around the district's lagging test scores, its sagging enrollment and plummeting staff morale.
"We're just not improving. We need to get some new thinking, new direction, and try something different," Scherer said. "It's time for new blood, a new district."
If the board did decide to part ways with Overturf and offered her a buyout, the district could have to pay her two years worth of salary because of she's on a two-year, rolling contract, Scherer indicated.
She was paid $112,329 in 2010, according to Gazette reports.
Overturf said she has no immediate plans to accept a buyout, and she said that as of Tuesday, neither the board nor the board's attorney had contacted her over negotiations.
Overturf said she was not in the room during the board's closed session Monday night.
Overturf said as far as she's concerned, her plan to retire from the district in 2014 stands. She defended her tenure as superintendent, pointing out that she's gotten positive reviews all five years. She said she's going about her job as she normally would.
"For me, it's business as usual. I have meetings tonight, and I'm going to be heading to negotiations. I'm going to continue to do what I always do," Overturf said.
May 15, 2012 at 8:06 p.m.
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Beenthere - It is your comment calling this board ugly which is really offensive and ugly. I believe that this new board is quite courageous to take on the unpopular task of cleaning a house left in such a horrible state by the previous board. I have no doubt that the new members ran for the board out of pure necessity, for the sake of the district.
This superintendent has shown that she can not lead at this level. Maybe she did fine as a principal, but in her current role she has failed miserably.
It is the previous board that should accept blame for putting the current board in the position of having to honor a golden parachute granted to an undeserving administrator. Why the board granted that type of contract is not only beyond comprehension but was fiscally irresponsible.
That type of contract should be reserved for an outstanding performance over a significant period of time, and I said before, she has been anything but effective in improving this district.
In fact I believe she has been quite destructive as evidenced by all the fine administrators that were either forced out (simply because she didn't hire them so they must not be any good), or left because they could easily see the writing on the wall.
Go ahead and put your blinders back on Beenthere, but I for one am quite grateful for these courageous board members.
May 4, 2012 at 10:06 a.m.
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@Hubb2753 - there is no decision in the buy out matter. It's in the contract. They have a choice - 1) letting her run her course until she retires and paying her in whatever duty she assumes during that time or 2) cutting her loose now and paying the buyout which is guaranteed by the contract they approved for her. Whatever happens, I wish Wendy the best in dealing with this ugly group.
Apr 29, 2012 at 10:12 p.m.
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Before even offering a buy-out, The school board owes parents, students and tax payers of the district an EXPLANATION as to WHY the buyout, HOW it intends to pay for it WITHOUT INCREASING taxes or DECREASING student services or programs and WHO the replacement will be. This must be done no matter what their intentions or the outcome will be, it is their DUTY and RESPONSIBILITY to the PUBLIC! PERIOD. We want a transparent and responsible School board!!
Apr 27, 2012 at 6:35 p.m.
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You are right, Beenthere. The school board has mishandled this, the old school board that is.
Your perception of effective differs from a whole lot of other people who felt it necessary to elect new board members that publicly stated their desire to rid the district of this superintendent.
Considering the facts of our open enrollment numbers, a vocally disgruntled public, plummeting staff morale, and a sweep in the elections removing board members that support the superintendent; it is hard for anyone to argue that she has been effective at moving this district forward.
Yes, you are also right that the new board has to honor the contract. Thanks a lot Carlson and company, your legacy will never be forgotten!
Apr 27, 2012 at 4:04 p.m.
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It appears that this whole matter has been mishandled by the DD school board. I know for certain Dr Overturf has been effective in prior assignments and was extended the contract she has by the board. If the board was dissatisfied they should have long ago pulled the plug on the automatic renewal/extension. If they want her out now then the board and the district need to tender her the two year check. Too many people now days are trying to get out of agreements that they have made. She negotiated that in her contract and I have to say it should be honored.
Apr 25, 2012 at 11:49 p.m.
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Dear Superintendent,
I wouldn't be bragging about the positive reviews that came from a bunch of nitwit board members that has done considerable damage to the school district. They were the same board members that were stupid enough to grant you a 2 year buyout clause AND unnecessarily extend the contracts of every single administrator in the district days before losing the elections. These clowns did this knowing they were very likely to be ousted and deliberately made it more difficult to clean house from all the poor hires that you made.
Besides, I doubt the board wrote the evaluations. It is more likely that you wrote them yourself and TOLD the board to sign it.
If you want to show this district that you really care about the kids, then resign immediately without forcing a buyout. If you deprive this district of nearly a quarter of a million dollars that it sorely needs while rendering no services to the district for the two years ... well, I guess we will all see your true character come out!
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