Former Dexter football coach Tom Barbieri receives $10K, perks in settlement with district
Tom Barbieri won’t be the head football coach at Dexter High School again, but he’s not walking away empty-handed from the position from which he was fired in 2010.
The longtime coach received $10,500 and other perks as part of a settlement with Dexter Community Schools stemming from a grievance filed following his dismissal.
Tom Barbieri
AnnArbor.com file photo
Per the settlement, neither school representatives or Barbieri are at liberty to discuss the details of the agreement, which AnnArbor.com obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request.
Barbieri -- who is also a physical education teacher at the high school -- was fired following the 2010 season and filed a grievance through the Dexter Education Association shortly thereafter, alleging wrongful dismissal. His case went to arbitration, but after just one meeting, both sides agreed to a settlement.
“Though I’m not at liberty to say much, I can say that a settlement was reached and that all parties seemed to agree that moving on was in everybody’s interest,” said DEA president Joe Romeo.
The settlement states that the agreement “does not amount to an admission of guilt” by the district” and requires that Barbieri drop the grievance.
In addition to payment, Barbieri will have his planning period moved to the last hour of the school day, which begins at 1:45 p.m., and will be permitted to leave school during that time “to attend to duties directly related to coaching football” at any school through the 2016-2017 school year. Barbieri is currently an assistant coach at Pioneer High School.
Barbieri is also not to be scheduled for any pre-school (before 7:51 a.m.) teaching duties during the five-year span and will be “entitled to use up to 20 school days for the purpose of attending coaching clinics or serving on the board of a football related state committee.”
Barbieri, a member of the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame who serves on its board, will be paid for the days off without it counting against his sick days.
Barbieri’s Dexter teams were 30-60 in 10 years as head coach. He said he was paid more than $6,000 for his services in 2010.
He was dismissed after the 2010 season in which his team went 5-4, just the second winning season during his tenure. He was fired after former athletic director Scott Lucas deemed him “not acceptable” in nine of 15 evaluation categories, including planning and organization, enforcing individual and team discipline, involving assistant coaches in planning, and communicating with the athletic director.
Barbieri disputed all nine “not acceptable” ratings in his grievance and claimed proper protocol was not followed in his dismissal. The district denied the grievance in February 2011 and the settlement was reached in February 2012.
The 2009 and 2010 football coaching evaluations and the improvement plan written by Lucas’ predecessor, John Robinson, were to be removed from Barbieri’s personnel file per the agreement. Barbieri was also able to choose the person to do his teacher evaluations in the future.
Brian Baird replaced Barbieri for the 2011 season and Dexter went 3-6.
Barbieri was allowed to release a statement according to the agreement, in which he stated: “I am sad to no longer be coaching Dexter Football, but I will continue doing what I love doing and that is coaching football and working with young men and women. It is a great day to be a Dreadnaught.”
Contact Pete Cunningham at petercunningham@annarbor.com or by phone at 734-623-2561. Follow him on Twitter @petcunningham.
Comments
HONDO
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 9:49 p.m.
Yep, school sports have to take a back seat to EDUCATION. We dont need anymore Al Bundys!! Gosh imagine paying the teachers a portion of 10k. Nope give to a coach that does nothing for the kids. Sorry high school sports 4 years, education last a lifetime... ps i did play football worst experience of my life it was a whos who not based on ability.....
chalkboardjoe
Tue, Jul 17, 2012 : 12:23 a.m.
@LauraJones-see this link...the district is just not refinancing! Don't believe otherwise! Ask your self why they would only refinance 20 million, when the 2008 millage was what, 49 or 54 million and there still are other unpaid millages out their. Again, they are pulling the last 7 million from the 2008 bond and refunding (get more) $10 million from the 2003 bond (as per the link below). http://dexterschools.org/businessoffice/files/2012/03/2012-Bonds-Underwriter-RFP.pdf @kwagama-carefully read each of my posts, the wording is specific...you can also look at prior posts that I have done in the past here. Dexter schools is not circumventing you or anyone else (technically they are meeting the requirements of the law). They are just not very genuine in their communications and forthright on the facts when challenged or questioned. Even if you read the Leader regularly, you would not find a tenth of the information I have just posted under this article.
kwagama
Mon, Jul 16, 2012 : 3:24 a.m.
Chalkboardjoe, Have you posted your findings anywhere else but here? As a dexter taxpayer I'm completely in the dark about this only going back here as I posted something on Barbieri. I have not been to this site yet, but there is a local site called the dexter patch. It seem as though Dexter schools are circumventing the tax payer (me) by their actions. I get the Dexter Leader, like most of us do, but we don't read it regularity. Where else are you posting this info, that could be disseminated to those who vote locally?
chalkboardjoe
Mon, Jul 16, 2012 : 1:19 a.m.
@laura jones-will try to keep this short and concise 1-this publication and the two in dexter WERE contacted on this issue prior to the discussion and the vote 2 weeks later. The administration put together the proposal/recommendation and it was unanimously approved by the board. 2-I do not know why the resolution is blank. Good question! 3-I do not know how much total debt there is, but it is much more than $20 million. Typical bond issues take 20-30 years to pay off. Dexter has passed over $125 million in bonds/millages since 1998. Only 20 million was refinanced in this last action. A lot of the other bond/millage monies had been refinanced to a lower interest rate in the past decade. The document that described the plan had not a single line item to justify what the money would be spent on! Not really required to...but the public does deserve to know! What is significant about this is how the district took $10 million of retired debt and made it active. Much like paying down on a home equity loan and then borrowing it back again. Again, it is legal, but may not be legal soon as the legislature moves to close this loophole that allows district to borrow more monies against retired debt from an open bond without any approval/vote by the taxpayer! You will learn very little going to just one school board meeting and you can expect little to no forthright answers to any of your questions. The "Dexter Difference" is to be indifferent to the public in hopes that you will go away in frustration. I suggest that you review the meeting packets that are posted online, take notes, etc. You can also expect little to no reporting on any significant issue by the press because the District treats the press the same as the public (indifferent and with contempt). link to board packets: http://dexterschools.org/boardofeducation/packets-and-agendas/ I hope I answered your questions under the restraints/constraints associated with this forum.
Mary Marshall
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 5:49 p.m.
The district recently took two actions related to bond debt. First, the district sold the phase two and phase three portion of the bonds approved by the voters in 2008. The sale of the bonds was always planned in three phases, so the sale is consistent with the original intent. The bond sales for the 2008 voter approved bond issue are now complete. While preparing for the sale of the phase two and phase three bonds, favorable conditions indicated that if the district refinanced a portion of the old debt, we could save the taxpayers $925,000 in interest. This type of refinancing is similar to refinancing your house with a lower interest rate. The district did not gain additional access to revenue to spend in the refunding process - simply refinanced to save the taxpayers nearly $1 million in future debt.
Laura Jones
Mon, Jul 16, 2012 : 3:07 p.m.
Thanks Joe. From what I saw. it can only be spent to refi the debt and nothing else unless another step is taken. Would be good to know if it has been taken. Thanks for all the info!
chalkboardjoe
Sun, Jul 15, 2012 : 1:41 a.m.
@Laura Jones- The upping of the debt was discussed at the May 7, 2012 meeting..."A discussion item entitled "Proposed 2012 Taxable Refunding Bonds" was added to the agenda." There had been a document posted on the school website summarizing the plan, purpose and ability to add debt without a vote by the taxpayer before the loophole was closed in soon to be passed legislation at the state level-but it is no longer posted for the public to see. If you were to make a FOIA request, you could get that information. Here is the link to the actual resolution passed; which called for the issuance of $20 million of bond debt, part of the amount from the most recent bond and the remaining $10 million plus was tacked back on to a prior millage. Very clever. http://dexterschools.org/boardofeducation/files/2012/05/Resolution-Refunding-Bonds.pdf And the recent "no tax millage increase", just means that the taxpayer still has a lot of debt (10 million more than than the taxpayer voted for) that will not be paid off in a timely manner. Districts typically refinance debt to get a lower rate. Dexter did that and borrowed a lot more money that the taxpayer is on the hook for. There were no specifics in the "now missing document" on what/why the district needed $10 million more. They want the money, but provided no specifics to justify needing $10 million. Just get'er done before the loophole is closed. Wow! Nor is there any reference of the actual discussion in the meeting minutes of said discussion that was officially added to agenda and approved (illegal?????, definitely unsavory behavior of our elected officials and administration!!!!). Just another example of the "Dexter Difference"!
Laura Jones
Sun, Jul 15, 2012 : 4:11 p.m.
OK, I read the whole document and 3451 page 2 indicates that the money will be used "only for refinancing existing debt and for no other purpose unless such change of purpose has the approval of the State Treasurer." Which leads to the questions: 1. How much total debt do we have and is it all be refinanced? 2. Is there a difference, and what is it, between the 20 million and the current debt? 3. Why authorize more money in bonds than debt under this provision unless you already have plans to spend it? 4. Has the State Treasurer been contacted or had any discussions with anyone associated with or employed by the Dexter School Board? Love to hear more of what you know. Looks like its time to attend the next school board meeting.
Laura Jones
Sun, Jul 15, 2012 : 3:55 p.m.
One more question: Why is the resolution blank on member names, present, absent and who introduced it?
Laura Jones
Sun, Jul 15, 2012 : 3:48 p.m.
One would think this publication might find that worth looking into. I will check the links, this is really shocking. Was it the school board that made the millage adjustment? Do you know which body is responsible for making that change? Thanks very much for the information.
kwagama
Fri, Jul 13, 2012 : 1:50 a.m.
My son played for Dexter HS 2004-2008. Prior to that they played in Middle school under the coach Daratony, a volunteer coach. We watched him coach and make pro like decisions during their games. They were undefeated for two years, against their rivals including Chelsea. From what "I heard" Daratony offered to coach this particular team, because of their talent thru their time in HS. Barbieri would have nothing to do with it. Their following years in HS shows what happens when kids who loved to play fo him vs Barbieri who they didn't like or hated, not to mention his lack of skills too. I worked in the Dexter Touchdown club for 2 years as parent coordinator, raised $17,000 in that time for the program, but although my son was very talented (went on to college football) he treated him miserably even though my son was not a complainer, but a very hard worker. (Barbieri's treatment toward my son came out at the end of his senior season) As coordinator I talked with the parents of players,current and former and not one of them had anything good to say about Barbieri. One in particular recounted how their older son had been shoved to the ground following the game for something he did and he quit. I think Barbieri was disciplined, and then resorted to verbal and emotional abuse that could not be proved. He's spent many years in coaching,but time doesn't make a good and liked coach. After I found out how my son felt, he had to go so he couldn't do this to more kids following him. I wrote the school board in support of the decision as Baird is well liked and capable and I believe will produce some winning teams. What saddens me about this situation and I have very first hand experience, is that everyone likes winning programs and when they have talent, hopefully they will, but the memories at this level (most will end their career in HS) is that they remember the experience positively win or lose. This was not the case in Barbieri's tenure as coach!
Laura Jones
Sat, Jul 14, 2012 : 6:35 p.m.
Sounds like its time for an all volunteer coaching job at Dexter HS. Bring the issue to the school board and bring Daratony with you. His family is well known and respected in Dexter.
chalkboardjoe
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 7:56 p.m.
Couple of observations/comments: 1st-Barbieri is a physical education teacher. No more, no less. 2nd-How weak was the districts position that it had to concede what it did: Barbieri getting to pick who gets to evaluate him, a planning hour at the end of the day and he gets to leave the district to pursue non-teaching related functions under the taxpayers dime. 3rd-What is the status of the lawsuit that Lucas filed after his dismissal from the district? He claims wrongful dismissal. Is more of the same type of settlement in the works on that fiasco? 4th-Dexter recently lost Lucas' successor after willfully leaving the job only 6 months into the job because he could not align with the districts goal of self-funding athletics. Huh? 5th-Dexter has just separated Community Ed and Athletics because the Admin/Board strategic plan to make Athletics self-funding failed after 3 years and now they have no new AD in place. All the while significantly raising pay to play fees for athletics. All of this against a backdrop of a district pursuing its own IB program at a considerable expense instead of joining the other Washtenaw County school districts, does not rank in the top 50 high schools in Michigan, enlarged its millage debt by over ten million dollars without taxpayer approval, allows the teachers to get any surplus funds not spent at the end of the year (almost 1.8 million dollars last year), asks the teachers to pay 10% of insurance-yet raises the district contributions by 5% each year with current district contributions over $16,000, and year after year- adminstrators consistently get step raises and the CFO gets an additional $10,000 contribution towards her retirement... Remembering that all parties agreed that it was in the best interests of all to move forward...with the taxpayers footing the bill for the districts follies! The "Dexter Difference", just not the way the powers to be like to be perceived, nor portray themselves...what a joke.
Laura Jones
Sat, Jul 14, 2012 : 6:32 p.m.
How did they get the enlarged millage debt? I would love to hear more about that. As to the pay for the non teaching staff, I have to agree it's a bit much. Given the quality of most teachers in Dexter, I think they are worth more than they are paid. Administration, not so much.
a2roots
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 4:30 p.m.
People you need to get a clue regarding teacher schedules. All full time teachers get a planning period which can be any hour of the school day. Many with 1st hour planning do not show up until prior to 2nd hour. As well, many with last hour although technically are supposed to stay do sometimes leave. There is no extra cost to anybody except Barbieri because he now has to find other time to do lesson plans, grading, etc. which the planning hour is designated for.
Mike
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 2:12 p.m.
Glad we have the unions to stick up for this poor teacher. It's nice that he gets to leave early on our dime so he can go coach somewhere else. He even gets to pick the person who will do his evaluations in the future??? Unbelievable..............This is another example of why we need to get the schools back under control of the taxpayers and away from the union bosses.
YPboyWRheart
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 11:38 a.m.
Do all local fired coaches get hired at Pioneer. Dexter, Saline? What kind of school board gives away time and money like that?
Shawn S.
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 2:12 a.m.
Coach Barbieri was my coach and teacher when he was in Gaylord Michigan. He was also my driver's education instructor. He was one of the nicest and honest teachers and coach I have ever known. I don't think Dexter's football did so poorly because of a coach. I think lack of talent may have helped. Just saying....
Laura Jones
Sat, Jul 14, 2012 : 6:29 p.m.
Maybe the lack of quality players had to do with the fact that people didn't seem to really care as much about football? I am not sure one team that has 25 players is worth all the expense it gets when you look at the cost vs. other teams, at least not a lot of cost to ensure winning.
JGS
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 2:04 p.m.
Dexter has never been any good in Football. I think Turk Nailik nailed it on the head, no feeder programs for the football program. You get out what you put in. Nothing + Nothing = NOTHING.
Turk Nailik
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 12:43 p.m.
I guess that the lack of talent could be true, probably more due to a lack of a real feeder progam. Dexter has several very strong sports programs, but ALL of them have very strong/excellent feeder programs.
A2ron
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 12:48 a.m.
Non-union and good union-folks take it on the chin, looks like Barbieri took it in the wallet (in a good way).
Tom Todd
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 10:54 a.m.
everyone who is a good worker anywhere picks up the slack for the lazy guy who is everywhere, union or none.
Turk Nailik
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 11:35 p.m.
Unbelievable! He has a loosing 10 year career (30 and 60) and gets a 5 year deal worth over $90,000? Its a wonder that the Charter schools are sweeping the nation and the Unions are getting beat, when they fight to give away cash through back door deals! Of course the Union is only half of the problem - someone signed up for this golden parachute. Of course I have probably underestimated the $90,000 by a few thousand, because I cannot account for the earlier than 7:51 required times.
SEC Fan
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 6 p.m.
@A2 Roots. I think it is you who needs a clue! Teachers are given an hour to PLAN...not go home early or sleep in. It is a PAID hour that is supposed to be used to WORK. But thanks for proving our point that teachers are not the "hard" working slaves you make them out to be.
Turk Nailik
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 10:48 p.m.
A2roots - That hour is supposed to be used for planning, not sleeping and not starting another job. In most industries, people get fired for stealing an hour - even if it is supposed to be used for "planning". He could always start an hour earlier, instead of stealing an hour - but, oh yeah that is against agreement! If the teachers aren't using that hour then I can tell you how the schools of Michigan get a GREAT BIG cost savings!
a2roots
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 4:24 p.m.
You apparently know nothing about the teachers schedule. ALL full time teachers get at least one planning hour. It can be any hour of the school day. His just happens to be at the end of the day. Many teachers with 1st hour planning do not show up for that hour as well as many with last hour do sometimes leave although technically they are not supposed to. Get a clue before doing your calculations.
Turk Nailik
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 12:40 p.m.
SEC Fan - I think I accounted for the 20 days. I calculated it as a $57k benefit over the 5 years. This also doesn't include the additional income he is getting from Pioneer. I figured that it was a wash with the $5400 he lost from Dexter. the $5400 is the $6000 (2010 coach pay) minus the 10% cut all coaches were given last year.
SEC Fan
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 1:35 a.m.
@Turk. What about the extra 20 days pay he gets to do other non-dexter school activities? that's almost an extra month of vacation! dude only works 9 months to begin with...subtract his normal vacation plus sick days and now an additional 20 days...and they can't make him come in before 8a.m. and he must be allowed to leave before 2p.m. What "procedure" could have been violated to warrant a coach that wins less than 20% of the time being allowed to work less than 6 hours per day and being given an extra 20 days (that's 1 calender month) vacation? this is INSANE!
Turk Nailik
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 1:23 a.m.
How do I calculate the 90k? $10500 payout $21675 for hours missed due to leaving early (5 yrs*3 mos*4wks/mo*5hrs/wk*$72.25/hr) $57800 for Coach club (5yrs*20days/yr*8hrs/day*$72.25/hr) $89,975 Total not including any early morning assignments missed. It also doesn't include the items not mentioned in the article. Does $72.25 per hour sound high? Actually it is probably low. I estimate each teacher gets $100k per year if you include salary, insurances and retirement. For the $100K in compensation they are mandated to work a minimum of 173 days and I will give them 8 hours per day. I know that many teachers work much more than the 173 days/8 hours per day, but like most salaried jobs you aren't compensated extra for doing your job.
a2roots
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 12:18 a.m.
What are you talking about? Where do you get $90,000. All teachers get a least one planning hour during the day. His being at the end of the day allows him to go somewhere else and coach. His pay remains the same. The payout probably accounts for some attorney costs and lost income from not coaching last year.
shepard145
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 10:48 p.m.
Dexter needs a new name for sports teams. Who picked "Dreadnoughts"? They were a class of British battleships that were obsolete before WWII and only standouts for their sinkability and the amazing number of crew they could drag to the bottom with them.
Laura Jones
Sat, Jul 14, 2012 : 6:22 p.m.
@JGS: I suppose its in the eye of the beholder, but calling a team after a dog, an insect, a rude name for an American Indian, a non American adventurer and a sea criminal seems just as odd to me.
shepard145
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 5:35 p.m.
Dreadnoughts were British battle ships that were obsolete by the time WWII rolled around. They had "Big Guns" with obsolete fire control so were quickly sunk by the German Navey. They were junk - not a good image for any sports team.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 2:22 p.m.
Oregon Ducks, OSU Buckeyes (an inedible nut?), Wake Forest Demon Deacons, Virginia Tech Hokies, Minnesota Golden Gophers (there's a scary one), etc. in the college ranks. Dread Nought: Fear Nothing. Sounds like a powerful term for a schools athletic competitors.
JGS
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 2:01 p.m.
My uncle used to call them, "The Dexter Dorks" I prefer Dreadnaughts to that. @Laura Jones, really? Chelsea Bulldogs, Saline Hornets, Milan Big Reds, Dundee Vikings, Pinckney Pirates, and on and on... Personally those are not "Odd" mascot names.
Laura Jones
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 12:33 a.m.
Why? Dreadnaughts were known for being "Big Guns First" battleships. It's part of the fabric of Dexter. It may be odd, but so is everyone else's mascot when you think about it.
Dexter Man
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 10:19 p.m.
When my kids went to Dexter Schools there were some very vindictive coaches an. A. D. who disposed of all the coaches personell files when that person left. Some sports had multiple coaches in a matter of four years. No wonder they have a problem with Chelsea.
JGS
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 1:58 p.m.
Not sure who you mean, but Al Ritt was the best AD and Vice Principal when I was at Dexter. I guess that's why they named the football field after him. Dexter has grown and fallen apart at the same time.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 9:49 p.m.
I can't believe people actually think a guy should be canned without the DIstrict following the procedures that the Board and the Union agreed on and both signed onto. Everyone should have such guarantees. Treat people right, or pay the price for it. Whether you think this man is great or terrible, he still deserves to be treated according to his contract. What is it these days that makes people think bosses (and governors) should have the right to ignore legally binding contracts?
Billy Bob Schwartz
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 2:14 p.m.
SEC...I do not know what part of the contract was not followed, but I'm pretty sure that the procedures for taking action against a teacher are specified in the contract, and I'm also pretty sure that those procedures (which the Board signed on to) were violated. I don't know this because I don't have a copy of their agreement and I don't know exactly what went on, but I surmise it because otherwise he would not have been rewarded for pushing back when his coaching position was taken away. If anyone else has more details, pleasse share, but since this is a personnel issue, it probably won't be released.
SEC Fan
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 1:26 a.m.
Just curious, but does anyone know exactly what "procedures" were not followed? the guy had 2 winning seasons out of 10 and won only 50% of his games. Coaching is essentially an "additional duty" that paid him only $6K per year. What "procedure" would warrant more than 1.5 times his pay as compensation? Plus, reducing his work hours to less than 6 hours per day. Really, he's getting paid to teach too.
Tom Todd
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 11:21 p.m.
Fox news tells them so.
nekm1
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 8:53 p.m.
what a crock! Are all of you sheeple on this post asleep? Who says he get's anything? Why should he get anything? Enough with the arbitrators and unions already. He screwed up, and was replaced! And now he continues to "teach" in the district with a 5 /12 hour work day for 8 months a year? Who needs France when you live in Michigan?
shepard145
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 5:27 p.m.
Terry - in addition to generous union sick and personal days off, you overlooked about half a dozen other "breaks" the teachers enjoy during the year - summer is far from their only vacation. I'm sure you're used to ORGANIZED LABOR teachers playing the victim card regardless of the economy but it's getting old. Television coverage of the disgusting Wisconsin demonstrations probably did permanent damage to their image.
SEC Fan
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 12:38 p.m.
@NC Terry, Dexter School year begins September 4th and ends June 7th. This equals 9 months and 3 days. Let's assume they go to work earlier and stay a little later, but this would be offset by their winter and spring breaks (18 days total for the 2012/2013 school year). I'll assume their holidays, sick days, and vacation days equal out to the private sector. Therefore 9 months a year is a fair assessment of how long teachers in Dexter work. I'm not gonna pretend to know all the ins and outs of teacher compensation/workload, but I do know a number of teachers. I do know they get paid extra to participate in activities (even those that take place during the school day). Frankly, I think $70K for 9 months of work isn't bad and having a nice long summer is a great perk.
NCTerry
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 5:09 a.m.
You people are not only extremely ignorant, you also can't add. Teachers work through the second week in June (on average) and start back again the third week in August. That means they get roughly 8 weeks off. 8 weeks = 2 months; 2months minus 12 months is TEN - NOT 8. Even subtracting time off during the school year doesn't get anywhere near 8 and most teachers are STILL WORKING when they're on breaks. Not to mention additional classes, continuing education and mandatory in-service training. You have ABSOLUTELY no idea how hard most of them work and how much time they spend working on their duties outside of teaching hours. If you think it's so easy go ahead and give it a shot - you'll have a RUDE AWAKENING! Calling teachers "union thugs" illustrates clearly that you have no idea what you're talking about and shows very little respect for the hard-working men and women who devote their lives to educating the children of America. Give us a break and keep your mouths shut when you're dealing with a subject about which you know little or nothing. I'm guessing that's a pretty long list!
shepard145
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 2:02 a.m.
You've been reading too many union millage increase campaign posters. In all but impoverished districts, teachers are well paid and enjoy benefits far beyond the private sector. They are also paid 12 months salaries for 8 months of work. I have yet to see a discussion of teacher pay that calculates compensation correctly: 12/8 x $70,000 per year = $105,000 actual pay! GET IT!? I've never heard of a teacher these days spending their own money on ANYTHING but if they ever do, they get PAID BACK AT TAX TIME. …so your hold view of teaching is a feathery illusion. Typically when there is a socialist in the White House and a dead economy, the union will agree to cut the pay of NEW teachers and keep theirs nice deal intact. Then when things pick up, they will complain about how little those poor teachers are so poorly paid! Looks like he was not a good coach – fine dump him. Wish they could do that with lousy teachers!
Laura Jones
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 12:24 a.m.
Shepard145: Ridiculous. Teachers, if paid by the hour, would make less than minimum wage. They spend their own money to create great classrooms and learning environments for their students. They are one of the LEAST WELL PAID groups based on their education. They are also some of the most dedicated. Most teachers above k-3 have masters degrees in Dexter. They are very dedicated and competent. There is some room for improvement with the unions defending teachers who are not deserving of it, but likewise the administration end has some reality issues they could stand to come to terms with - like the exorbitant amount of money they are paid in contrast to the teachers. This settlement smacks of an improper firing, which lands on the administration, not teachers or unions.
shepard145
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 10:37 p.m.
So you are unaware that the union negotiates plush "office hours" and "teacher days" designed so teachers do 100% of their work on union time on union school property? Teachers are now spoiled union thugs as we saw in demonstrations in Wisconsin when the cash party came to an ugly, disgusting and bankrupt, end. Organized labor has made teaching a union job with rules you find in a stamping plant. They no longer practice a profession, but "fulfill contract obligations" in a system that protects the worst and ignores the best - and we see the results of that every day.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 9:53 p.m.
What makes you think a teacher only spends the time on the job that they spend in the classroom? That's only the "performance" part of the job. What about the preparation, planning, reading, grading, and all the other things that go into that thankless job? If you don't have a clue about the other guy's job, maybe you should learn about it before firing witlessly away.
Tom Todd
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 9:46 p.m.
nekm1 go to college,get an Education,be a teacher.
Taxpayer48130
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 8:32 p.m.
I love the part where it says neither the school or him can discuss the terms. What are the other perks? We as taxpayers; who are paying for all of this; have the right to know. It is extremely wrong that he gets paid through Dexter and still gets to leave early and coach somewhere else, where he is getting paid. He's paid salary in Dexter, no matter what his hours are.
Pete Cunningham
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 2:12 p.m.
All of the "perks" in the settlement are described in the article. The settlement stipulates that neither party is allowed to discuss the details of the settlement, but it is public record and every detail in it has been described in the article after obtaining copy via FOIA request.
Former A2 Resident
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 8:06 p.m.
Barbieri was not a good coach. Players and parents alike were happy to see him go. I found him to be very rude and inconsiderate. It's a shame Dexter couldn't be rid of him altogether!
smokeblwr
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 7:49 p.m.
This is why Chelsea always gets the nice things.
Doug
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 7:44 p.m.
It looks like the Dexter Schools did the right thing. Extending the litigation would have cost much more than the agreement settled upon.
aareader
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 7:35 p.m.
Appears when due process was not followed in dismissing an employee the final outcome seems to be more expensive for this District ...in cost and a "strange arrangement" of working condition for this one employee.
JGS
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 7:31 p.m.
Oh Rich Grannis, Widge Proctor and Kirby FIsher we miss you! :) Oops I forgot John Merz, a great Defensive coach at Dexter too! As the Bunkers would say, "Those were the days."
notnecessary
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 7:24 p.m.
Does all this seem slightly ridiculous for a high school football coach?? HS sports team coaches, if compensated for anything, should have to agree not to waste district resources when/if terminated...
Laura Jones
Sat, Jul 14, 2012 : 6:19 p.m.
notnecessary: I agree with you, but those days are long passed. They may resurrect with the advent of Dexter's new exorbitant pay to play rates.
notnecessary
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 5:18 a.m.
I guess I just don't really consider high-school football coach a "job" or "position" -- its more something I thought would be filled by someone who loves the game and loves being around kids (not in a Jerry Sandusky kinda of way)
Laura Jones
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 12:17 a.m.
Likewise the schools must adhere to the law when terminating folks, saves everyone a lot of headaches.
a2citizen
Tue, Jul 10, 2012 : 7:01 p.m.
Looks like he has a gig that lasts 5 hrs and 54 minutes. Wonder how long does he get for lunch?