Settlement funds benefit school employees

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October 30, 2012

Settlement funds benefit school employees

Joyce Marie Taylor Suwannee Democrat The Suwannee Democrat Tue Oct 30, 2012, 04:18 PM EDT

Jasper — A special called meeting of the Hamilton County School Board on Friday, Oct. 26, was met with joy by all of the county’s school employees as they learned they would be reimbursed for furlough days they were forced to take during the 2011-12 school year, as well as a $400 one-time bonus payment.

“As many of you may be aware, the school system has been involved in a lawsuit since 2002,” said Superintendent Martha Butler. “The lawsuit stemmed from a former insurance company’s failure to pay claims, which the school system had to pay.”

For the past four years, Butler said she worked diligently with a team of top attorneys to recoup the money for the school system.

“Throughout this long process, I believed this was the right decision for our district,” she said.

Recently, Butler was notified that the insurance agency chose not to file another appeal and on Monday, Oct. 22, she received official notice that the funds had been received and placed in a trust account by the attorneys for the district.

“In looking at ways to use these funds to reward our hard-working employees, I determined that those who are currently employed in our system should be reimbursed for the furlough days that were deducted during the 2011-12 school year,” said Butler. “I have always felt that the budget should not have been balanced on the backs of our employees, and it is only fair that the employees be reimbursed for these deductions. In addition, I wanted to include a one-time payment of $400 to each current employee.”

Plans are to include both payments in the Nov. 16 paychecks, so the employees can use the additional money for shopping during the fall break.

On Tuesday, Oct. 23, Butler met with Mrs. Lowe, HCEA president, to discuss the issue.

“As Mrs. Lowe had requested that negotiations be postponed until the new superintendent takes office, I wanted to apprise her of the situation and of my plans,” Butler said. “I am pleased to announce that Mrs. Lowe agreed with my plans and I appreciate her willingness to work with us to do what is right for the employees.”

At a special called business meeting on Friday, Oct. 26, Dennis Schutt of the law firm Schutt, Schmidt & Noey, presented Butler with two checks totaling $305,000. The first check of $297,072.90 represented a portion of the total recovery owed to the school system by the defendant in the case, which began in 2005. The district previously received a payment of $195,000, which had to be used to balance the 2011-12 budget, according to Butler.

“The second check of $7,927.10 was a payment from Mr. Schutt’s firm, presented in appreciation for the opportunity to represent the district in the lawsuit,” said Butler.

Schutt complimented the superintendent on her decision to pursue the claim in the interest of the school system. He was accompanied by his associate Jeffrey Devonchik.

Butler thanked Schutt and Devonchik for representing the district in the lengthy and complex lawsuit and commended school board attorney Jay Willingham for his role in working with Schutt’s firm on the case.

After board approval for use of the funds, it was announced that Nov. 16 paychecks will include reimbursement for the 2011-12 furlough days and the one-time payment of $400.

“I hope these additional funds add to your enjoyment of the upcoming holiday season,” said Butler. “It has been an honor to serve as your superintendent of schools and I am pleased to share this wonderful news with you.”

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