Tom Curtis: Correction to 12/28/05 letter to Damon Asbury

Hello Everyone,

It has been brought to my attention that in my letter to Damon Asbury of yesterday, I identified the wrong Perry Local School district that lists Mike Billirakis as a social studies teacher since I believe 2000 or 2001. I indicated that it was in southern Ohio, when it is not.

The Perry Local School System that has and I believe currently does list Mike Billirakis as a social studies teacher, is in Lake County in the northeastern part of the state. This is a very wealthy school system.

To my knowledge Mike Billirakis has never lived in the Perry Local school district or even close by. He has lived in the Columbus area during the entire time he has been listed as an employee of that system and has never taught one day in that school system.

He has not been in the classroom since the 1980's. His contract was passed to this wealthy school system from a poorer school system in Portage County, where he actually did teach years ago. How this was possible and ethical is beyond my knowledge. It does not appear to be a problem with the Auditor of State, Betty Montgomery, as she has been notified of such and was not willing to take any action against this irregular situation.

Even if the NEA pays his entire salary of $149,550, one would think there would still be other expenses the Perry Local school system would incur for listing him as an employee. I wonder who provides for his health care coverage and life insurance. Even if all of the costs are paid by the OEA, then what benefit did he receive for moving his contract from Field Local in Portage County to Perry Local in Lake County? Go figure? Is this just another example of pay to play in Ohio? Do the educators and residents of Lake County know about this and agree with it?

Take care,

Tom Curtis