jps admin building
Jackson Public Schools has reached an agreement with one of two teachers it is attempting to discharge due to ineffective ratings on annual evaluations.
(File Photo)
JACKSON, MI - Jackson Public Schools has reached an agreement with one of two teachers it is attempting to discharge over ineffective ratings on annual evaluations.
Wendy Allen, a Middle School at Parkside science teacher, will be allowed to retire from JPS, effective Dec. 31, according to the agreement, which was obtained by the Citizen Patriot through the Freedom of Information Act.
In June, the Jackson School Board voted to proceed with tenure charges against Allen and Jackson High School special education teacher Beth Borener because of two consecutive years of ineffective ratings on evaluations.
Allen and Borener each appealed to the Michigan Tenure Commission and, by law, have been on paid leave during the appeal process. Borener's appeal is ongoing, JPS Superintendent Jeff Beal said.
In her agreement, Allen continues to receive full pay and benefits through the normal payroll schedule until her retirement becomes effective at the end of the year. But she will not report to work or be assigned any duties in the district during this time.
Allen's salary for the 2014-15 school year was $65,454, according to documents in her personnel file, which also were obtained through the Freedom of Information Act.
In the agreement, Allen, by contract, also will receive a "terminal payment" of $3,750 to $250 per year for her 15 years of employment in JPS.
Allen also waives all rights to future employment with JPS, including substitute teaching or consulting through a third party, the agreement says.
As part of the agreement, the existence and content of the tenure charges and the investigation preceding or following the filing of the tenure charges also will not be communicated by JPS to any prospective employer.
"We believe this agreement accomplishes what JPS set out to accomplish," Beal said. "We want the very best teachers with our students. We believe we had a strong case, but this settlement saves the fees and the administrative time required to go through the hearing."
The recommendations for the terminations of Allen and Borener were made based on a contract ratified by the district and the Jackson Education Association teachers union a year ago. The contract stipulates teachers receiving two consecutive ineffective ratings on annual evaluations will be removed from the district.