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Butler Tech leader plans to retire

Bob Sommers says he will leave in June but board of education  already mulling retire and rehire.

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By Lindsey Hilty, Staff Writer Updated 8:45 PM Sunday, November 1, 2009

Butler Tech Chief Executive Officer Bob Sommers has announced his plans to retire this June.

“I have been in public service for 32 years and this is an ideal time to retire from a personal standpoint,” he said last week.

The board of education took action last week after an executive session to announce a required legal hearing to potentially discuss the rehiring of Sommers. The resolution puts plans in place for the next board so it will be ready to take action, said Board President Katie McNeil of Middletown City Schools.

“We as a board wanted to say he’s doing a good job, and we certainly want the next board to take that into consideration because (retire and rehire) is a sensitive issue for some people. It’s also a statement that the board is pleased with his work to date.”

The board will turnover members in January depending on individual district appointments and the outcome of the election.

She said the goal of a retire and rehire is to maintain experience if the employee is the right fit for a district. “I hired him, and he’s worked with lots of board members very well and certainly helped lead the district,” she said.

In an e-mail interview, Sommers said he realizes these are ever-changing economic times and the district must constantly improve to serve students well.

“My passion is to be sure students are well served, taxpayers get their money’s worth, and faculty and staff are given the best opportunity to succeed and grow,” he said. “The retirement decision doesn’t impact my passion and commitment to whatever district I am serving.”

By law, any contract has to be decided after a hearing at 6 p.m. June 15, 2010 at the Educational Resource Center. The board may choose to retain the services of Sommers after his retirement June 30.

The board approved a three-year extension of the employment contract of Ed Pokora, chief financial officer.

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5067 or lhilty@coxohio.com.

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I have a friend who is thinking about retiring. He wants to get a job at one of the local retailers, but he is afraid of being accused of double-dipping. How should I advise him?

Just an Observer
11:27 AM, 11/2/2009

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Any retire - rehire scheme is flawed. It does not benefit taxpayers and any way you cut it, the person is compensated twice by the taxpayers. The key is it eliminates opportunities for others. In this terrible economy, we don't need double dipping in any form. In addition, the opportunity to gain experience is quashed. Look at at our county governments as an example of this. The retire/rehire schemes have become an entitlement for those at the top. Is the same benefit offered to lower paid?

Bob Weber
10:57 AM, 11/2/2009

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Just keep double dipping and see if you EVER GET A SCHOOL LEVY passed in the future. If people want to retire let them retire and let someone else have the job. How can people be so intelligent that NO ONE else can do their job? Anyone can be replaced there are many people in Butler County with the education and experience to do the job. If you retire stay retired and let another person, who is eligible do the job. Give another person a break it is the moral thing to do. MORAL!

Molly
9:46 AM, 11/2/2009

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No problem with double dippers if they start back at bottom of payscale, with 30+ years he'll get 90% plus new salary. In these times he'll make probably 50% more than he makes now even with starting at bottom. Maybe he should have been training someone to be as good as him and then he could enjoy retirement instead of working to the grave.

taxpayer
8:25 AM, 11/2/2009

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This is old recycled news.

enquirer
7:58 AM, 11/2/2009

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