Some say Zimmerman buyout a waste of money for cash-strapped schools

by Leanne Tokars (ltokars@wsbt.com)

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Zimmerman contract buyout a waste of money

Some say the money used to buy out the South Bend Schools superintendent's contract could be put to better use in the schools. (WSBT file photo)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Jun 5, 2008 at 5:17 PM EST

Story Updated: Jun 8, 2008 at 10:05 PM EST

SOUTH BEND — Controversy continues to grow one day after the South Bend Schools superintendent's evaluation was leaked to the media.

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Superintendent Robert Zimmerman hit the airwaves Thursday morning on WSBT’s Newstalk 960AM radio station.

“I don't believe — and I think they [the school board] would agree — that there is any grounds within the evaluation for dismissal, and so it's simply a matter of us reaching an amicable separation through the buyout,” said Zimmerman.

The school board’s vote Monday to buy out Zimmerman’s contract has sparked criticism.

“I think it’s a lot of turmoil,” said Jason Zook. “It's a lot of negative press that we don't need."

Zook is a South Bend teacher and vice president of the teacher’s union in South Bend.

The N.E.A. has shown support for Zimmerman in the past.

“Supposedly we don't have any money, and yet here we can pay this guy his current contract and then a buyout and then we have to pay the next person their salary,” said Zook. “So, I figure that's at least $400,000 where we could have put that towards all-day kindergarten, computers, books or just upgrading some things in our classroom."

In South Bend, 26 of 32 public schools did not meet the requirements set by the No Child Left Behind Act.

“The sad thing is, people with means will pull their kids out,” commented Linda Hopkins.

Her children went through the South Bend school system. She now works to help children who struggle.

She says many of the problems Zimmerman has had to deal with were problems before he became superintendent.

“I don't believe that this continuous and constant upheaval is good for our community,” said Hopkins. “We have so many issues we have to deal with, and I don't think that using Dr. Zimmerman as a scapegoat is going to solve those issues."

Zimmerman told WSBT's Newstalk 960AM that he had yet to agree to accept a buyout.

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