Published: May 28, 2009 09:50 pm      

LETTERS: May 29, 2009

Lanum: Ogle Foundation won’t fund hiring



As president of the Paul Ogle Foundation, I want to dispel the rumors which are circulating and being repeated in the Greater Clark County Schools area that the Paul Ogle Foundation will make funds available to supplement the salary and costs for new Superintendent Stephen Daeschner.

First of all, the foundation’s guidelines prohibit funding of any project associated with the support or operating expense of any primary and/or secondary public or private school system.

Second, at no time did the foundation indicate in any manner that it would contribute to the salary or contract of the new Greater Clark County School superintendent. Sometime ago, an inquiry was made to me whether the foundation would assist in efforts to raise supplemental funds to pay part of the proposed new superintendent’s salary, if necessary, and my answer was definitely “no.”

I personally believe that any private entity or individual who contributes to such a fund to supplement the salary creates an appearance of impropriety and may be a direct conflict of interest. It is also demeaning to the taxpayers who support the school system through their taxes and rely on the decisions and fiscal responsibility of the elected school board to stay within its operating budget to provide a quality education to all the children within the school district.

The board is charged with hiring the best school superintendent available to supervise the operations of all schools within the district. The salary is but one of the factors to consider, and should not be based on a per student cost.

The salary offered to Daeschner is insignificant, relative to the overall budget of the school corporation, if he can use his years of experience to implement the changes necessary to create a system that will offer an opportunity for a quality education for all the students.

Based on the test scores published for some of the schools within the district, neither the current board or administrators they have hired in the past few years have demonstrated the ability to bring the school system up to acceptable overall educational standards.

It is hoped that the new superintendent is given the freedom and resources to use his experience to make whatever changes he deems necessary to enable the teachers to teach and upgrade the educational opportunities and standards for all students in grades kindergarten through 12.

We don’t have time to waste, because the future of all children is at stake, and petty politics and personal agendas need to be put aside.

— Robert W. Lanum, president, Paul Ogle Foundation





Reader encouraged by Clark Memorial pay cuts



A May 17 story in The Evening News reported that Clark Memorial Hospital’s executives are voluntarily taking a 10 percent to 12 percent pay cut.

The health care industry has not escaped the recession. As a team member at Clark Memorial, I received a letter from Martin Padgett, hospital chief executive officer, explaining his decision to recommend these pay cuts, including his own, to the hospital Board of Trustees in order to reduce costs and stand in solidarity with employees who have had their hours cut.

In these lean economic times, I find this move extraordinary. Leadership at Clark Memorial Hospital maintains a focus to do the right thing for the right reasons.

The hospital has cared for the Indiana community for 87 years and is taking responsible steps toward a viable future. The hospital continues to provide valuable community service, commit to excellent patient care and win regional and national awards. Clark County is lucky to have such a health care leader in its own back yard.

— Kathy Gapsis, Greenville