By Tom Gilchrist
For The Advertiser
CASS CITY — Cass City Public Schools Superintendent Jeff Hartel received slightly better than an “above average” rating in his latest annual evaluation by the Board of Education.
“I think you have a very good rating here, Jeff, and I believe you’re doing a really good job for our community and our school and our kids,” board Secretary Sloane Stimpfel told Hartel at the board’s Dec. 16 meeting.
Each of seven board members rated Hartel in 22 areas in the following five categories: Overall Performance, Board Relationships, Community Relationships, Administrative Relationships and Faculty Relationships.
Board members rated Hartel from 1 to 5 in all 22 areas. The number “5″ represented a superior rating, “4″ represented above average, “3″ indicated average, “2″ represented below average and “1″ meant the superintendent needs improvement.
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The board gave Hartel an average rating of 4.04 — slightly better than above average — when considering the board’s average ratings from all 22 areas.
Board members submitted written comments with their evaluations. Written comments, obtained by The Advertiser, don’t indicate which board member wrote which comment. One board member wrote that “Jeff has been very transparent and willing to communicate with every board member this year concerning all aspects of the budget and issues relating to his position as superintendent.”
That board member wrote that school district leaders had asked Hartel to meet those goals last year, writing that Hartel “has done an outstanding job of complying with the board’s wishes.”
Hartel, a 1978 Cass City High School graduate, receives annual compensation of $106,685, including a yearly salary of $100,485 and a district-paid tax-sheltered annuity of $6,200. Hartel’s current contract, signed Oct. 28, notes he is compensated for serving as both superintendent and transportation director.
Hartel’s contract runs from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2016. He receives health, dental, vision and long-term disability insurance, along with an annual $100,000 life-insurance policy.
Of the seven board members, Stimpfel gave Hartel the highest average rating — 4.77 — when evaluating his performance in each of the 22 areas. Hartel’s second-highest average rating of 4.68 came from board President Craig Bellew.
Hartel’s lowest average rating — 3.55 — came from board member David Osentoski. Janie Meeker gave Hartel an average rating of 3.59.
One board member wrote that “I would like to have the superintendent set a goal this year of becoming less dependent on the office financial manager (Mike Klosowski).”
Another written comment noted a board member wants Hartel to “take a ‘no surprise’ approach to upcoming issues on the board,” continuing that “There should never be an issue come up, in which the superintendent is aware of or has knowledge of, and the board not be fully informed.”
Of the 22 areas rated by board members, Hartel scored his highest average rating of 5 when board members evaluated him on “presenting a positive image of the schools by his poise, appearance and willingness to participate in various activities.”