Guest editorial: Matt Haas and Albemarle County’s haves and have-nots

by Susan Carter

THE HAVES

There has been so much written about the former Albemarle County Public Schools Superintendent, Matt Haas, and the separation agreement that was finalized regarding his compensation package; $250,000.00, plus BENEFITS, plus a BONUS, plus an INCREASE, despite no longer working for Albemarle County.

 

THE HAVE NOTS

Being employed with Albemarle County Transportation, in excess of 25 years, I was approved for leave in 2021 under the Family and Medical Leave Act when our son was diagnosed with cancer. While caring for him I became ill and was diagnosed with cancer. After a surgery, a rigorous chemotherapy regiment, followed by physical therapy, I felt that I was ready to return to work, albeit on a part-time basis as I had medical appointments for myself and our son that I would need to attend. I contacted my employer regarding my return. Though it was advertised on the Human Resources website that there were 4-hour positions open in Transportation they would not afford me 4 hours, I was advised that I would be given 3.25 hours per day, therefore NO BENEFITS, NO HEALTH INSURANCE. NO HEALTH INSURANCE AT THIS CRITICAL STAGE.

 

I attended a School Board meeting, with Matt Haas present (can be seen on video), naively believing that pleading my case to them would make a difference, that they would care, that they would intervene to ensure an ethical outcome, that follow-up would be forthcoming from someone on the School Board. NONE OF THIS HAPPENED. I tendered my resignation due to the unwillingness of my employer of 29 years to give me four (4) hours per day, therefore no health insurance, copying my resignation letter to the superintendent and School Board. AGAIN, NO INTERVENTION FROM ANY OF THESE PARTIES.

 

I didn’t ask for, nor did I expect to receive anything that I wouldn’t have worked for, and was so naive as to believe that one of the HAVES would have interjected on the behalf of a HAVE NOT.