This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

In the Rear View: Fire Contracts, School Pay and Business

We look back at a week of fire district finances, delays in the Allan Kustok murder trial, a school pay freeze, a school pay raise, and more.

MONDAY

The first two months of an investigation into several Orland Fire Protection District chiefs cost taxpayers $33,000 and resulted in retirement and severance packages worth a combined $250,000. Notably, fire chief received a $34,000 severance check, a $5,000 pay spike, and cashed in his unused sick and vacation days, totaling $118,080.

TUESDAY

Find out what's happening in Orland Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Orland School District 135 board members approved a balanced fiscal year 2011-2012 budget on Monday, thanks in part to an expected freeze in administrative and teacher pay, as well as transfer from reserves.

WEDNESDAY

Find out what's happening in Orland Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Board members discussed the pay and whereabouts of work reports for district consultants and a lobbyist. A policy that would have given the fire chief a $5,000 spending limit, up from $1,500, failed in the absence of one trustee.

THURSDAY

One year after his wife’s death, Allan Kustok’s murder investigation remains open. In court, prosecutors asked for more time on forensic blood work.

Property owners are considering waiting out a road project that’s slated for completion in 2013 before opening new grocery store.

FRIDAY

Consolidated High School District 230, which includes Carl Sandburg High School, approved a new fiscal year budget with salary and benefit increases. One citizen voiced her concern. Board members defended the pay increase, noting that administrators agreed to a pay freeze two years ago.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?