For those that have kept up with my coverage over time, you know that I sometimes read the Superintendent's e-mails. Well, I was doing some catching up this morning and came across a chain of e-mails that began Monday when Wise tried to collect his $6,000 bonus.
This is money Wise has been due since this summer, when it became clear he met two of nine performance goals in his contract. He is owed $4,000 for drastically increasing Advanced Placement enrollment and $1,733.33 for increasing the percentage of students promoted to the next grade level.
Some have criticized the superintendent about the bonus because they come in two categories in which he exerted direct control. As you may recall, he ordered high school principals to triple the number of students taking AP, and, with the School Board's blessing, he changed the promotion requirements for middle and high school students.
Another interesting twist: Wise said this summer that wanted to donate his bonus to a local education non-profit, likely the Alliance for World Class Education. Many of the prominent business people who are members of the Alliance are the same folks who supported the board in parting ways with Wise.
Before I share excerpts from the e-mail chain, I want to let you know I'll be adding entries here throughout the day and blogging live from the 4 p.m. meeting this evening when the board will discuss the settlement agreement with Wise. Check in often, and continue to leave your comments.
-Tia
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From: Wise, Joseph J.
Sent: Monday, October 15, 2007 7:42 AM
To: Giles, Thresa C.; Reynolds, Vicki R.; Ballentine, Timothy R.
Subject: Appendix B
TG [Note from Tia: Dr. Wise loves to abbreviate. In emails, he uses initials to address people and sign his name]
Vicki
Tim
In light of the drama ensuing, it is wise to calculate the appendix B bonus pay owed me and submit accordingly. We should calculate and wrap this up today if possible.
THX
JW
Sent: Monday, October 15, 2007 7:42 AM
To: Giles, Thresa C.; Reynolds, Vicki R.; Ballentine, Timothy R.
Subject: Appendix B
TG [Note from Tia: Dr. Wise loves to abbreviate. In emails, he uses initials to address people and sign his name]
Vicki
Tim
In light of the drama ensuing, it is wise to calculate the appendix B bonus pay owed me and submit accordingly. We should calculate and wrap this up today if possible.
THX
JW
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From: "Ballentine, Timothy R." <ballentint@dreamsbeginhere.org>
Date: Mon, 15 Oct 2007 11:04:31 -0400
To: "Wise, Joseph J." <wisej@dreamsbeginhere.org>, "Giles, Thresa C." <gilest@dreamsbeginhere.org>, "Reynolds, Vicki R." <ReynoldsV@dreamsbeginhere.org>
Subject: RE: Appendix B
... According to my calculations, the Superintendent is entitled to performance pay in the amount of $5,733.33 for the 2006-07 school year based on the results in targets #7 and #8.
Date: Mon, 15 Oct 2007 11:04:31 -0400
To: "Wise, Joseph J." <wisej@dreamsbeginhere.org>, "Giles, Thresa C." <gilest@dreamsbeginhere.org>, "Reynolds, Vicki R." <ReynoldsV@dreamsbeginhere.org>
Subject: RE: Appendix B
... According to my calculations, the Superintendent is entitled to performance pay in the amount of $5,733.33 for the 2006-07 school year based on the results in targets #7 and #8.
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From: Wise, Joseph J.
Sent: Monday, October 15, 2007 11:08 AM
To: Ballentine, Timothy R.; Giles, Thresa C.; Reynolds, Vicki R.
Subject: Re: Appendix B
THX Tim
Who takes this from here?
JW
From: Wise, Joseph J.
Sent: Monday, October 15, 2007 11:08 AM
To: Ballentine, Timothy R.; Giles, Thresa C.; Reynolds, Vicki R.
Subject: Re: Appendix B
THX Tim
Who takes this from here?
JW
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From: "Reynolds, Vicki R." <ReynoldsV@dreamsbeginhere.org>
Date: Mon, 15 Oct 2007 13:23:17 -0400
To: "Wise, Joseph J." <wisej@dreamsbeginhere.org>, "Ballentine, Timothy R." <ballentint@dreamsbeginhere.org>, "Giles, Thresa C." <gilest@dreamsbeginhere.org>
Subject: RE: Appendix B
As soon as Karen Chastain [Note from Tia: she is the school system's attorney] verifies Tim's calculations, I will submit for payment.
Vicki Reynolds
Chief Human Resource Officer
Date: Mon, 15 Oct 2007 13:23:17 -0400
To: "Wise, Joseph J." <wisej@dreamsbeginhere.org>, "Ballentine, Timothy R." <ballentint@dreamsbeginhere.org>, "Giles, Thresa C." <gilest@dreamsbeginhere.org>
Subject: RE: Appendix B
As soon as Karen Chastain [Note from Tia: she is the school system's attorney] verifies Tim's calculations, I will submit for payment.
Vicki Reynolds
Chief Human Resource Officer
11 comments:
Increasing AP enrollment- More like forced (dictated) kids into AP classes that can't handle the class and the AP classes have had to be watered down. How does that help the kids- the ones who don't want to be in the class struggle and the ones that want to be in the class aren't getting enough out of it.
Now that Wise is gone for good, what are we going to do with the allegations that he had against Brenda Priestly? All matters aside, if the allegations are true, we should be investigating her and see if she's abusing her authority as well.
AMEN! Let me tell you all I want is for our all the nonsense to stop and the focus be put on the children who are in Duval County Schools. If we even put 1/2 of the energy that we have put into all this political bs on our children we very well could have made such a difference for our chidlren! Everyone in the school board is playing "Nation" right now and it is taking so so much away from our children! Everyone including some teachers are so distracted by this entire fiasco that our children are suffering!
PUT THE FOCUS BACK ON THE CHILDREN
Unbelievable. Wise publically stated that he would donate his "bonus" (you know, for his stellar performance) to education related charity. And he spent his final hours ensuring that the check got cut...to him? That greedy, nasty, awful man. I cannot believe we fell for such a power monger, manipulative and spiteful person.
In terms of the School Board member against whom the accusations have been made-I say drop it. Enough is enough.
I certainly hope that we will make any severence package contingent upon an audit...and if any $ improprieties are noted, they should reduce his receipts dollar for dollar
Tia,
I am just curious - how do you get to read Dr. Wise's emails???
I hadn't heard of this.
Also, I for one, am a DCPS high school teacher and I did not get an email from Mr. Pratt Daniels....
I find the article by Tia alarming concerning Dr. Wise's request for a $6000 bonus for increasing Advanced Placement enrollment and student promotion numbers. I have been aware of the damage the Superintendent caused by placing under qualified students in advanced programs, both to the program and students. The poor teachers charged with running these classes have been demoralized by the reality their job was made impossible by Wise's decision. Can it really be the Superintendent damaged the AP program just so he could get a bonus?
This school system is in such disarray, the teachers are near mutiny and morale is the lowest I've ever witnessed.
It might be smarter to eliminate the School Superintendent position altogether, than to fill it with another person like Wise.
Now I understand why students were placed in AP classes (even though the students did not select those courses). And, now I understand why principals were required to report (every week) the number of students enrolled in AP courses.
We didn't know that it was tied to a bonus Joey was going to get. What a rip-off. Teachers were under so much stress trying to teach classes with large enrollments (Many schools throughout the nation have small AP classes since there is so much extra work involved with teaching/grading the AP courses), and trying to teach the course to students who did not have the necessary background (e.g. reading level of 1 on the FCAT) to succeed in an AP course.
Now I understand why students were placed in AP classes (even though the students did not select those courses). And, now I understand why principals were required to report (every week) the number of students enrolled in AP courses.
We didn't know that it was tied to a bonus Joey was going to get. What a rip-off. Teachers were under so much stress trying to teach classes with large enrollments (Many schools throughout the nation have small AP classes since there is so much extra work involved with teaching/grading the AP courses), and trying to teach the course to students who did not have the necessary background (e.g. reading level of 1 on the FCAT) to succeed in an AP course.
well, you are about a year or two behind DE in finding out about Joey- trust me, he already has another opportunity- and BTW- he has financial connections to the company handling Ap- as does his mother- surprise!--I would really l;ook at the financial records- see if there is not money misspent- and a pay out of vacation- 59,000 who makes that kind of money- another school in his wake- should have listened to Delaware- and we should have listened to Annapolis, and they should have listened to South Carolina- and I bet we will have others that we do not even knw about-
To the Duval Board- Great lesson you just taught our kids. Wow what a Board. Member moves in the district to run for office - great ethics and morals lesson!! Lets see - Kids - how you cheat the system to get what you want!!! Great going Priestly
I'll use this to teach my kids
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