By Larry Coonrod, Lebanon Express writer | Posted: Wednesday, October 22, 2008 12:00 am
Oregon Sen. Vicki Walker (D-Eugene), chair of the Senate Education and General Government Committee, will hold a hearing on Oct. 27 to determine if the Lebanon School Board's $400,000 buyout of former superintendent Jim Robinson's contract violated the state's "golden parachute" law.
Walker said based on what information she has, the Oct. 6 deal that led to Robinson resignation did not violate Senate Bill 384, passed in 2007.
"Based on circumstances in the district, he could not be fired for just cause so he had a contract that had to be honored," she said.
Walker decided to hold the meeting after being contacted by a constituent.
The purpose of the hearing is to get clarification on whether the contract buyout violated the section of the law that prohibits school administrators from being paid for work not performed, she said.
"It depends on the circumstances. In Lebanon, it's kind of interesting," Walker said. "You had a couple of school board members who had really taken a dislike to this man, at least from background information from his attorney."
Walker said the Education and General Government Committee does not have the authority to invalidate the contract between Robinson and the school board.
"Somebody else would have to bring action. It's not up to the legislature to challenge it," Walker said.
Dana Richardson, committee administrator, said she is requesting representatives from the Oregon School Board Association, the Confederation or Oregon School Administrators and the Lebanon School Board attend the meeting.
Lebanon School Board chair Josh Wineteer said on Monday he was unaware of the hearing but would ensure someone from the district attended.
The hearing is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. Oct. 27 in the Capital Building, Hearing Room E.