Former Boynton Board Members Say They Were Against Raise

BOYNTON, Oklahoma -- Former Boynton school board members are talking after it was revealed the district's former superintendent received a huge raise, just before the cash strapped district shut down.

02/23/2012 Related Story: Boynton School Superintendent Cashed In Before District Shut Down

The state board of education revoked the certificate for Boynton's former superintendent after Shelbie Williams got a 151 percent salary increase while her school district faced severe budget problems.

Longtime School Board member Leonard Walker says financial trouble that ended up closing Boynton schools wasn't pretty.

"It was so much mess that went on during the board meetings, that it was plum pathetic," Walker said.

Walker was on the board when it voted to give Superintendent Shelbie Williams a salary increase from $36,000 to more than $90,000.

"I was totally outraged, yes people are outraged and I don't blame them for being outraged. Here you're about to lose a school, and you give that type of money to an individual," Walker said.

Walker says he was against the raise, but the meeting minutes show he voted for it. He says the minutes of many meetings aren't accurate, which Williams disputes.

The State Board of Education revoked Williams' certificate, after hearing evidence that she violated the state constitution by advising her school board to grant her salary request. And that the school lost accreditation because it couldn't afford to pay teacher salaries.

Many in Boynton say some board members just rubber stamped items.

"Everything she wanted, she got it," said Angela Jackson, former board member.

Angela Jackson says she was forced off the board before the pay hike vote was taken.

"I don't think she deserved it. She didn't do anything to deserve a pay raise like that. The school couldn't afford a pay raise like that," Jackson said.

Williams declined an on camera interview, but made the following statement:

"My first year as superintendent I worked well below what superintendents make. I understand the outrage over the salary increase, but most people don't realize what is customary for Oklahoma superintendent salaries."

On average, superintendent's annual salaries are about $100,000. While Williams' request is in line with that, many say it's not in line with what was reasonable for a district in dire straits.

"We don't have that kind of money. Never did have that kind of money," Jackson said.

While there is still an adversarial atmosphere over the issue and the districts ugly end, most agree they're ready to put the mess in Boynton behind them.

Williams also said she's devastated by the state board's decision. She says she spent thousands of dollars in her own money for school expenses like books, diesel for buses, and even coronation flowers. And that she worked hard to keep the district open.

09/15/2010 Related Story: State Budget Cuts Force Muskogee County School To Close