DARLINGTON — In an agreement to replace District Administrator Denise Wellnitz before her contract expires in June 2020, the Darlington School Board has authorized the expense of nearly double her salary while Wellnitz takes a leave of absence beginning this month and a replacement is hired.
According to the retirement agreement obtained by the Monroe Times as part of an open records request, Wellnitz will fulfill her duties as superintendent through June 30. After that, she will be on a leave of absence until June 30, 2020, and will continue to be paid her usual salary and benefits for the year.
Wellnitz, who did not return multiple requests for comment about her decision to retire from the district, will be paid a gross amount of $5,024 every two weeks, or her annual salary of more than $130,000 until the end of June 2020.
Darlington School Board President Aaron Wolfe said the board plans to hire a new superintendent during Wellnitz’s leave of absence. While the duties may not be exactly the same, Wolfe said the district intends to use Fund 10 money to pay two salaries for the next year.
“It’s not ideal,” Wolfe said. “Nobody plans to have to do this.”
The district denied a request for a copy of the latest performance evaluation of Wellnitz by the board. It denied having any correspondence materials about the retirement between Wellnitz and board members, and also maintained that Wellnitz has no disciplinary reports filed against her in its possession. She has been engaged in two-year contracts since July 1, 2014, with an initial salary of more than $120,000.
Plans to hire a superintendent have been moving forward. Over the last week, board members have held the first round of interviews for consideration of the position. Wolfe said the board plans to hold a second round on June 20, with the inclusion of staff and the public.
Wolfe refused to “speak to the details” regarding Wellnitz leaving the district a year before her contract ends. Board members voted April 15 in a split, 5 to 4 decision, not to renew her contract that ends in 2020. Wolfe said this vote “was a factor” in the decision of board members and Wellnitz to come to an agreement, but did not wish to speak further on the exact reason.
Wolfe had also said the board was notified in person, as well as in a letter, that Wellnitz informed the board of her decision to retire. However, in response to the records request, attorneys from Madison-based Boardman & Clark LLP denied that the district possesses any letter.
In emails sent between Wolfe and Wellnitz in late 2018 about her upcoming evaluation, Wellnitz expressed concerns.
“I don’t believe all board members understand what my job description is and that I’ve picked up a significant amount of work this year,” she wrote.
Wolfe indicated it would be “helpful” to explain the change in workload, though he added that the board evaluation must be based on the job description of her position. During discussion in open session, and in certain heated talks overheard outside of closed session meant to address personnel issues, board members spoke to one another about their disappointment in Wellnitz for not informing them of issues within the district, like allowing some athletes to practice during snow days while state wrestling contenders were unable to do the same just before the tournament.
As part of the agreement, Wellnitz will also receive the same insurance benefits during her leave of absence. She will be paid her unused vacation at a per diem rate as part of her paycheck after June 30. During her leave of absence, Wellnitz will stop receiving the severance payments if she takes a job in school administration.
If Wellnitz does take a job in the administrative education field, she must inform the district’s attorneys. However, Wolfe said the agreement allows Wellnitz to become employed in another field and still receive payments for the year. If she were to become eligible for benefits through other work, the district “shall no longer be liable to contribute” any funding for insurance any longer, according to the agreement.
— Kayla Barnes contributed reporting.