
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, July 15, 1990                   TAG: 9007130344
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV4   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

BUYOUT MIGHT EASE 'JIMMY JUMP' PAINS

Editor's note: Three weeks ago we took our parting shots at departed Pulaski County School Superintendent James Burns, but they weren't the final words. In an editorial July 2 titled "Burnsed," The Press Journal of Vero Beach, Fla., where Burns had been superintendent for 10 years before he came to Pulaski last year, had this to say about what we had to say:

We have found a case where what is good for the goose is not good for the gander. It is one where the taxpayers foot the bill and the public education system ends up with the short end of the stick.

Just look at former Indian River County School Superintendent James Burns, subject of what Jack Chamberlain, Roanoke Times & World-News columnist, calls the "Jimmy Jump."

Burns, who served here for 10 years, fell out of favor with the Indian River School Board after a failed school bond referendum in May 1988. School Board members agreed to buy out several months on his contract, amounting to $94,000 in salary, vacation time and other perks. He left early in 1989.

Imagine what the school district could have done with all that money. It could have purchased computers or paid four teachers' salaries for a year.

Burns, with cash on hand, boogied to Pulaski County where he was greeted as "a breath of fresh air . . . for public education in the county and Southwest Virginia," Chamberlain said. The personable superintendent was a hit, making residents promises and giving them dreams for a better school district. In the past year, however, something went amiss.

A few weeks ago, Burns opted to leave Pulaski County and return south to Muscogee County, Ga. By moving, he walked out on the remaining three years of his contract.

No problem. School districts do not want employees who do not want to work there. Their morale and productivity will be low. But taxpayers footed the bill for the $8,012 it cost for him to move from Vero Beach to Pulaski County.

It is OK for the goose to waddle to another town without fulfilling her side of the contract. But when the gander wants to let her go for poor performance - watch out! Buying out his three-year contract would have cost Burns about $240,000, plus perks.

Now, Pulaski County officials are left with conducting another arduous and expensive search for a superintendent. They also are holding a worthless contract. But is it worthless? We have a suggestion.

As an honorable gesture, Jumping Jimmy should agree to buy out at least part of the contract he is breaking. Since it is worth at least $240,000, a reasonable sum would be . . . how about $94,000? Consider it Indian River County taxpayers' gift to Pulaski County's public education.

What's good for the goose should be good for the gander. Taxpayers and their children should not be victimized by waddling superintendents.

by CNB