Homan Choosing Who To Show Contract To

SIOUX FALLS, SD - From the governor to the legislature, the question of whether school contracts are public or not has been a hot topic.

It all started just a few weeks ago when the Yankton Press and Dakotan requested contracts for eight different superintendents. All were eventually received, except for Sioux Falls Superintendent Pam Homan, who cited a law that only her base salary and home address have to be released.  Since then, a number of media organizations have also requested the contract.

Homan sat down with a KSOO radio host on Thursday to discuss the details of her five-year contract signed in 2010.

The interview lasted over 17 minutes and during it, Homan showed her contract to host Rick Knobe. On-air, she said she choose Knobe because he was the first to ask her.

However, his is not the first to request to see her contract. In fact, several media outlets have made the request. KELOLAND-TV made that request September 23. The Yankton Press and Dakotan first sent a request a few weeks ago.
 
The only information it received was Homan's base salary and address. The district cited a 2009 change in the law that allows personnel information to be withheld; it said that includes Homan's contract details.

Homan also quoted that law in an email she sent to staff members Thursday.  KELOLAND News obtained a copy on Friday.

In it, she said she doesn't personally care if the details of her contract are made public, but that the law protects her contract along with every other employee's.  She went on say quote: "What the media is asking, however, is for the District to draw a different line or ignore the line set by the legislature based upon the status of the employee and, as a result, risk the protection provided to all employees."

During the radio interview, Homan said Knobe could look at her contract because it was in her presence. But she said she couldn't leave a copy for him to have.

When asked if she would share her contract with other media outlets and she said quote: "Personally, that is my choice, and I would have to deem them reputable."

KELOLAND-TV requested an interview with Homan Friday, but we were told she will not be granting any other interviews on this topic. We also sent an official public records request to see the contract. We've been told the request will be processed in accordance with the law.

The Yankton Press and Dakotan told us they planned to send another request for Homan’s contract on Friday.