By Leslie Moriarty
Herald Writer
SNOHOMISH — A Snohomish School Board member has resigned, citing differences with other board members and superintendent Neal Powell.
Kathryn Deierling, a board member for four years, resigned Wednesday saying she was unhappy with how the superintendent is running the district without consulting board members, and how some board members appear to be getting information while others aren’t.
But Ken Housden, school board president, defended the board and the superintendent.
"It’s pretty common knowledge that she (Deierling) didn’t always see eye-to-eye with the superintendent," Housden said. "She is entitled to her opinion. But I am sorry she took such a public way to vent her frustrations."
In her resignation speech, Deierling attacked Powell, saying he allowed information about recent teacher contract negotiations to be released to teachers before the board.
She cited a memo dated Monday that outlined the offer made to teachers on Sunday. Deierling said she had requested information on that offer but wasn’t given any.
Instead, she said she learned the details when a friend gave her a copy of the memo from Powell to certified staff members this week.
"I cannot continue to be a board member and make the kind of decisions I am expected to make when important information is not given to me," she said.
Powell said Deierling missed some information because she chose not to attend past executive sessions.
Deierling also questioned Powell’s salary and the validity of his doctorate degree.
Deierling said Powell’s increase in salary is actually more than the recorded 3.7 percent. She said his raise is closer to 6 percent.
Powell said his base salary increased 3.7 percent, but he was given the option of working a number of Saturdays or Sundays, and with that his salary went from around $117,000 to $121,000, which is more than 3.7 percent.
Powell defended his doctorate from the University of Santa Barbara in California.
"It’s really a nonissue," he said. "I told the board when I was interviewed for the position that my doctorate degree was from a school that was not accredited. It is a private graduate school. It’s a good program, and I am proud of what I accomplished."
Housden said all board members knew that prior to unanimously hiring Powell two years ago, including a yes vote from Deierling.
Housden also said that in the state of Washington, a superintendent doesn’t have to have a doctorate.
"For her (Deierling) to raise this issue now is really nothing more than her expressing a personality conflict she seems to have with the superintendent," he said.
Housden wouldn’t discuss the superintendent’s compensation package, because the negotiations took place in executive session.
Deierling said Thursday she was upset that the superintendent didn’t talk to the school board about the teachers’ agreement.
"It was inappropriate for him to release anything before coming to the board," she said.
Powell said when the tentative agreement was reached Wednesday, he knew the board was meeting that evening, and he planned to relate the information to them in an executive session, which he did.
He was able to give the board the information before anything was published in the media Thursday. But Deierling resigned before the executive session Wednesday.
Deierling had already chosen not to run for re-election. She is best known for opposing recent school bonds in protest to how school funds were being spent. Her term ends this year, and there is only one candidate running for her seat.
Because of that, her seat will be open until the district can determine whether the individual elected in the Nov. 6 election can begin serving immediately.
You can call Herald Writer Leslie Moriarty at 425-339-3436
or send e-mail to moriarty@heraldnet.com.
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