(Pay)checks and (Im)balances

"We have a shortage of teachers, not of high-level specialists in administration," Galloway points out.

At the recommendation of an audit performed by state Comptroller John Sharp, the district's school board no longer approves new hires -- making it the only district in Texas that doesn't. Some board members say that the board may have overcompensated when faced with Sharp's accusations of "micromanagement" and undue influence over contracts.

But when Galloway spearheaded an effort to restore the board's oversight in March, business and community leaders saw it as a step backward for reform and lobbied heavily against the measure, which the board then tabled indefinitely.

Though the board is not likely to revisit the issue anytime soon, Fallon suggests a possible compromise. Rather than "micromanaging" every new hire, the board could resume oversight only on hires that are going to be paid above the midpoint of their range.

More importantly, says board member Gabriel Vasquez, the board should investigate ways to tie salary levels to performance.

He says, "The real issue is this, in my opinion: Are we putting highly qualified people in these positions? Unfortunately, at this time, there is no objective system in place for determining that."

E-mail staff writer Shaila Dewan at shaila.dewan@houstonpress.com.