STRS Board attempts to stop discussion on Dennis Leone's bonus motion 6/19/09
[The motion is posted immediately below this post.]
1. Dennis Leone made a motion – as he did one month ago (when died due a lack of second) -- for the board NOT to pay the 7/12ths bonuses to the investment staff for fiscal year 2009. Dr. Leone publicly read 15 reasons to justify the motion. (See attached.) Tai Hayden seconded the motion, which triggered discussion.
2. Steve Puckett – who represents State Supt Deborah Delisle on the STRS Board – then made a substitute motion to table Dr. Leone’s motion until September. Leone said he felt this was attempt to prevent him from voting on the motion. Discussion began on the matter................
3. Tim Myers then suddenly made another motion, seconded by Conni Ramser, to “close discussion” on the topic. Dr. Leone objected and Myers stated: “You’re not allowed to discuss it.” The motion to stop the discussion, however, failed 5-4, with Mark Meuser and Mary Ann Cervantes joining Myers and Ramser in the attempt to stop discussion. Leone accused Myers and Board member Mary Cervantes of having a conflict of interest in the matter because both publicly said previously that the suspension of the bonuses was “breaking a promise.” Leone read the board policy which states that the board can modify, suspend, or terminate the bonuses at any time for any reason. He said that if there was litigation, Myers and Cervantes would be exhibits A and B for the plaintiffs – against the board.
4. After more discussion, the board voted 7-2 to table Dr. Leone’s motion anyway. Hayden jointed Leone in dissent. Voting to table were Myers, Meuser, Ramser, Cervantes, Puckett, Burch and Brooks. Chapman was absent. Leone told the board he felt they were afraid to vote on the matter.
A motion on different topic also was made by Burch (seconded by Dr. Leone) that was designed to require the executive director to acquire board approval for increasing staff beyond 594 total employees. Burch agreed to withdraw her motion for reconsideration in August when the executive director said he wanted to discuss the matter with staff. Leone complained about this, noting that the Burch motion contained a provision that gave the executive director the ability to hire staff for emergency reasons. Leone said: “Now we have to get approval from the staff even to make a motion?”
Last month, Dr. Leone made a motion at the STRS Board meeting to impose a moratorium on board member out-of-state travel due to the economic conditions facing STRS. This motion failed 6-4.
6/19/09
1. Dennis Leone made a motion – as he did one month ago (when died due a lack of second) -- for the board NOT to pay the 7/12ths bonuses to the investment staff for fiscal year 2009. Dr. Leone publicly read 15 reasons to justify the motion. (See attached.) Tai Hayden seconded the motion, which triggered discussion.
2. Steve Puckett – who represents State Supt Deborah Delisle on the STRS Board – then made a substitute motion to table Dr. Leone’s motion until September. Leone said he felt this was attempt to prevent him from voting on the motion. Discussion began on the matter................
3. Tim Myers then suddenly made another motion, seconded by Conni Ramser, to “close discussion” on the topic. Dr. Leone objected and Myers stated: “You’re not allowed to discuss it.” The motion to stop the discussion, however, failed 5-4, with Mark Meuser and Mary Ann Cervantes joining Myers and Ramser in the attempt to stop discussion. Leone accused Myers and Board member Mary Cervantes of having a conflict of interest in the matter because both publicly said previously that the suspension of the bonuses was “breaking a promise.” Leone read the board policy which states that the board can modify, suspend, or terminate the bonuses at any time for any reason. He said that if there was litigation, Myers and Cervantes would be exhibits A and B for the plaintiffs – against the board.
4. After more discussion, the board voted 7-2 to table Dr. Leone’s motion anyway. Hayden jointed Leone in dissent. Voting to table were Myers, Meuser, Ramser, Cervantes, Puckett, Burch and Brooks. Chapman was absent. Leone told the board he felt they were afraid to vote on the matter.
A motion on different topic also was made by Burch (seconded by Dr. Leone) that was designed to require the executive director to acquire board approval for increasing staff beyond 594 total employees. Burch agreed to withdraw her motion for reconsideration in August when the executive director said he wanted to discuss the matter with staff. Leone complained about this, noting that the Burch motion contained a provision that gave the executive director the ability to hire staff for emergency reasons. Leone said: “Now we have to get approval from the staff even to make a motion?”
Last month, Dr. Leone made a motion at the STRS Board meeting to impose a moratorium on board member out-of-state travel due to the economic conditions facing STRS. This motion failed 6-4.
6/19/09
posted by Kathie Bracy at 6:02 PM
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