The cash-strapped Gary Community School Corp. could consider hiring attorney Clorius Lay as a part-time consultant to Superintendent Cheryl Pruitt at its Feb. 28 regular meeting.
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If approved, Lay could be hired to provide advice and assist with policy-making issues. According to his proposed contract discussed at a Feb. 24 work session, he would be paid up to $50,000 a year for a 20-hour per week position — or $4,166 per month — to run from March 1 through February 2018.
His hire was originally set to be considered at the board’s Feb. 14 regular meeting, but was removed from the agenda at its start. At that time, Lay’s salary was proposed at $25,000 for the same number of working hours.
Board Trustee Nellie Moore opposed the hire, noting the board already retains two law firms. She also voiced concerns that the money could come from the district’s general fund — a school district’s main spending account that is typically used to fund salaries, books and supplies.
State lawmakers are considering a pending proposal in Indianapolis to shift control of the district’s finances for up to five years away from the school board in exchange for some possible loan forgiveness and other financial concessions.
In recent years, the district has closed numerous schools and cut staff in a bid to reduce its massive long-term debt — estimated at $101 million by the summer, officials said.
“We are constantly under the microscope for how we spend money,” Moore said during the meeting.
Pruitt cited Lay’s expertise in law and as a public official that would be an asset to the district. The board voted to cut staff including 11 custodians at its Feb. 14 meeting.
“I can understand (the opposition after) reducing staff, but there are a number of skill sets needed to help get over this hump,” she said during the meeting. The district needs “to have some additional support” to help guide it through financial difficulties.
Trustees Robert Buggs, James Piggee and Norman Bailey spoke in favor of Lay’s hire. Board Trustee Carlos Tolliver agreed with Moore.
“The optics are that we are laying off custodians, we are laying off people in the classroom, we are increasing class sizes,” he said. “Is it more important for us to have a legal assistant, or to have a plumber service our schools?”
Lay, who attended the session told the board that he intended to provide policy advice, not act as an attorney.
“I have no interest in being your attorney,” he said.
Lay is a member of the Calumet Township board. As an attorney, he has also represented Gary Councilwoman Mary Brown in her attempt to hold simultaneous positions on the Common Council and at the Sanitary District.
No decision was taken. The board is set to consider the proposal at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Gary Career Center. It is also scheduled to consider rehiring former district spokeswoman Charmella Greer.
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