Report: Another retire/rehire in the works in Belpre; a "public service" - at the expense of the system?

Wile said rehiring retired employees, especially a teacher or superintendent, is a public service because it will save the taxpayers money in benefits.

“Because the person is receiving benefits from their retirement plan, the taxpayers will not need to pay for them again,” he said.

Retirement, rehire is possible for Belpre superintendent

Marietta Times

November 22,2005

By Jolene Craig

BELPRE — Belpre residents were invited Monday night to give their opinions about the possible re-employment of school Superintendent Harry Fleming, who might retire this year.

When Fleming was hired Aug. 9, 2004, the school board knew he would be up for retirement this winter and discussed rehiring him after he left the position, board President Mike Wile said in September.

"In favor of continuity in the school system, I think re-employing Dr. Fleming is a good decision," said Tom Webster, an attorney and resident of Belpre. Webster was the only local citizen to address the board on this issue.

Fleming was hired as the district's superintendent after Tim Swarr retired. He will be able to retire later this year with 30 years in the Ohio Teachers’ Association. Under Ohio law, if he retires, Fleming can be re-employed in the same position.

“I think we need consistency with the superintendents,” said board member Rod Hineman. "The school system needs someone to stay more than a couple of years."

Webster, who agreed with Hineman, said he wants Fleming to be rehired because he is helping to keep the school system in good financial standing and the students are doing well.

“This is a decision that Dr. Fleming has to make,” Webster said. “But I think re-employment is in the best interest of the students, school system and parents.”

If he retires and wants to be re-employed, Fleming will be drawing retirement pay and benefits from the state and will still receive a salary from Belpre City School System.

The board decided to discuss the option with Fleming because members wanted a superintendent to stay with the district for more than two years, Hineman said.

Wile said rehiring retired employees, especially a teacher or superintendent, is a public service because it will save the taxpayers money in benefits.

“Because the person is receiving benefits from their retirement plan, the taxpayers will not need to pay for them again,” he said.

“Not only can the decision save money, the taxpayers are getting a person with 30 or more years of experience rather than hiring someone fresh out of college,” Wile said.

During Monday’s school board meeting, members heard from Eric Deems, a Belpre High School junior, who went to Washington, D.C., with the National Youth Leadership Forum on Defense, Intelligence and Diplomacy.

“It was a terrific opportunity where I listened to people in the fields of defense, intelligence and diplomacy speak and I got to meet them,” Deems said.

He was chosen by the program to participate with 350 other students from around the nation in a simulated crisis situation, Fleming said. Deems was chosen as one of 20 students to tour the Pentagon.

“You represented Belpre and Belpre High School in very admirable fashion,” Fleming said.