Salary debate baffles School Board

Terry Webster

Friday, Dec. 17, 1999 | 11:20 a.m.

Questions are still swirling over the salary of a Clark County School District superintendent candidate, as School Board members report feeling like they are "hanging in the wind," and being "tossed and turned by the media."

At least now the School Board has determined where the information came from: Candidate Henry Marockie, who is state superintendent of West Virginia schools.

School Board president Ruth Johnson Thursday said Marockie quoted his salary as $146,000 -- or $46,000 more than he actually makes -- during a debriefing session attended by three board members.

During the session, which was used to qualify candidates for the superintendent's position, Marockie also claimed he receives a $600-a-month housing allowance and a free country club membership.

He doesn't.

Information in a report read by last week search consultant William Attea of Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates, was based on the debriefing session, Johnson said.

Still, Attea should have verified all of the candidates' salary and benefits packages, board members said.

"We were left hanging in the wind," said board member Lois Tarkanian.

Tarkanian and board member Susan Brager called for full investigative reports on Marockie and his challenger for the superintendent position, retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Joseph Redden.

Brager said the board has requested this information from Attea, but still hasn't received it.

"We need some answers from him," board member Shirley Barber said said.

Marockie has failed to return phone calls from the Sun.

Echoing the rest of the board, Johnson said the panel should take its time in selecting the district's new superintendent.

Johnson added, however, that consideration should be given to the candidates, especially since they are weighing other offers.

Board members Mary Beth Scow and Sheila Moulton both said they could make a decision based on information they have.

Attempts to reach board member Larry Mason by phone during the meeting were unsuccessful. Mason was visiting a Colorado Springs, Colo., site where Redden had worked.

The board will request a meeting with Attea before it expects to vote on a new superintendent. The meeting time was bumped up an hour, to 10 a.m. on Tuesday.

A report from a School Board attorney was put off, pending the return of Mason.

During Thursday's meeting the board also decided to rename Madison Elementary School on J Street the Wendell P. Williams Elementary School, despite opposition from more than a dozen speakers, including children. Williams is chairman of the state assembly's education committee.

The group, led by WAAK-UP (Westside Action Alliance Korps -- Uplifting People), objected to a past bankruptcy and a court order for Williams to pay some $52,000 in back child support. Two speakers supported naming the school after Williams.