 At issue is a pension perk for Smith who, because of his hire date, came into
the job with the less lucrative Tier 2 state pension, whereas his predecessor
was under the state’s Tier 1 plan, which is no longer available to new hires.
In addition to his $225,000 salary, Smith will receive a stipend of about
$11,000 to help offset smaller pension contributions by the state.
Committee chairman Rep. Jack Franks, D-Woodstock, said he’s not done pursuing
the matter and won’t settle for an exchange of letters with the state board.
“I categorically reject that request,” Franks said. “We are not a friendship
society. We are the General Assembly, and we are the oversight committee for the
state of Illinois. I cannot cross-examine a letter. I want people in here
answering the questions, telling us the reasons, defending their actions and
taking this out of the shadows.”
Franks said the superintendent’s stipend also appears to step around the spirit
of the Tier 2 plan, which was enacted for employees hired beginning Jan. 1,
2011, as part of the state’s efforts to control its pension costs.
He also questioned what the board’s decision says to rank-and-file state
employees.
“Talk about new hires or new teachers,” Franks said. “They have to do the Tier
2, but their boss — ‘Oh, that Tier 2 just isn’t quite good enough for the the
boss. The big guy gets the extra $11,000 stipend.’
“That’s ridiculous,” he said. “They ought to be answering (for) that.”
[to top of second column] |
 Franks said he learned state board officials wouldn’t be
appearing at the hearing only the day before, when a letter was
dropped off at his office.
James Meeks, a former legislator and chairman of the state board,
did say he would discuss the committee’s requests with board members
at their scheduled meeting on Wednesday, the Chicago Tribune
reported.
Illinois New Network’s requests for comment were not answered by
State Board of Education communications personnel on Tuesday.
In an email statement, Rauner administration spokeswoman Catherine
Kelly said, “The State Board of Education is an independent board.
The (Rauner) administration is focused on enacting structural
reforms that will save taxpayers billions and hopes Rep. Franks is
ready to play a constructive role in that process.”
The GOP’s spokesman on the committee, Rep. Robert Pritchard of
Hinckley, said, “I think it’s appropriate for the Legislature to
have a discussion about compensation for not just the state
superintendent but perhaps for all our department chairs and leading
administrative officials.”
“Clearly when we talk about transparency and investigating these
things, we need to be fair and open-minded ourselves about this and
not just pick on something that might be a political issue rather
than looking at what’s the most efficient and best way to govern our
state,” he added.
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