Oak Ridge city manager asks for tuition reimbursement

Mark Watson

Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson has asked the city to reimburse him for tuition and textbooks as he pursues a doctorate at the University of Tennessee.

In exchange, Watson would have to earn at least a “B” average and continue working for the city for three years after he finishes his classwork. If he leaves before then, he would have to repay the city.

Watson is studying political science, with a concentration in public administration.

Watson said he took six hours worth of credits last year and plans to continue taking classes. He has about 26 to 28 hours and a dissertation remaining, and he said UT charges about $500 per credit hour.

The Oak Ridge City Council will consider the tuition reimbursement Monday, when they will also consider whether to give Watson a 1.5 percent pay raise—the same increase given to other municipal employees— and extend his employment contract for two years, until Aug. 8, 2016.

Watson would earn $136,656, effective July 8.

Also Monday, Council will consider a $42,000 contract with economic development consultant Ray Evans, a former chief executive officer of Barge Waggoner Sumner Cannon Inc.

Evans has helped complete a $625,000 tax increment financing package for Woodland Town Center, a commercial development that will include an Aubrey’s restaurant and Panera Bread, Watson said. And other large projects are in the works, including the potential sale of the 60-acre, mostly empty Oak Ridge Mall.

Council will also consider on Monday a $410,000, one-year contract with the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau, which promotes tourism in the city.

Monday’s meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Oak Ridge Municipal Building Courtroom.

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Mare Martell

I want to go to school. Someone pick up my tab. I’ll work for you for three years afterwards, but I’ll bet dimes to doughnuts it won’t be for free and it won’t be without the pay raise everyone else gets too. Cushy. Really cushy.
T J

Kinda a back door way to get a contract extension.
If his contract is even renewed, we should require him to sign an undated resignation.
Watson is acquiring more enemies than friends in OR.
kay williamson

What the heck?? pay for your own college like the rest of the world, what an EGO!!! this council better say ‘HELL NO’ to both, DO NOT RENEW HIS CONTRACT EITHER, 2 YEARS LATER, AND THE TRUCK IS STILL IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE, the drug house is still operating and the junk that has sit in my neighborhood ‘STILL SITS HERE’, “what has change beside we got a bicycle trail and more dam debt.” There is no major CHANGE, no new big jobs, no real reduction in the crime, and the neighborhood housing issues are pretty much the same, NOTHING THAT DID change had anything to do with him being the city manager!!!! The one and only good thing that came out of Watson was his hiring of our new police chief, btw is a long family friend of the watson family!!!!!!
- Susie Williams Taylor
  
  I don’t recall anyone saying “he” was ALL bad….just NOT management material….but wait—- maybe he would be if OR foots his education expenses!
Sarah Johnson

I really believe that at $136,656 a year Mr. Watson can afford to pay for his own college.
- Susie Williams Taylor
  
  Absolutely! If this “request” does NOT open eyes….then nothing will! The audacity~~~
T J

While he is in class, who is doing his job?
Wait–I forgot, he has Beehan to run around the country representing Oak Ridge.
Why do the citizens never get any reports from all the seminars, expos, that council members attend at great expense?
If he has a doctorate, then OR, or his next boss will have to pay him more.
There is an active public/private revolving door in OR.
- Susie Williams Taylor
  
  Ditto!
native oak ridger

I am all for tuition reimbursement for job related courses. What is very telling is that he wants it for himself, but other city employees who take job related college courses do so out of their own pocket. This is the typical double standard mr watson is famous for, and self-centered to boot. Why hasn’t he reinstituted the city employee tuition reimbursement program for all city employees? Also, where is the money coming from? Aren’t we in a financial bind? City council, it is time to cut our losses and fire watson!
Gayla Turner Bailey

I admit Oak Ridge City politics ignorance. I did not realize the high level of power of our City Council. I did not realize the Council appoints the City Manager! Maybe I will run! Ha, ha! (My husband and I worked hard to get our college degrees, and I am still ignorant of much! A degree does not make us any better than someone else who does not have one! If we can reimburse Mark’s coursework, can we help Oak Ridgers who need their yards mowed because they are unable to do so themselves? (I am not asking for myself, but for elderly and convalescing who are all alone and need help!).
- Susie Williams Taylor
  
  Looks like your eyes are “really” open now~~~ I love you for giving others the benefit of doubt…however, I believe ALL doubt has been eliminated!
Daniel

If I had a job that paid $136,656, I believe I could afford my own college classes.
- Susie Williams Taylor
  
  You could afford to do a LOT of things!
Susie Williams Taylor

Apparently, the “whole” of the Oak Ridge Council does NOT have the best interest of this great Reservation…haven’t for a long while. Cut Mark Watson loose to further his education! I wish and pray that the residents/citizens of OR become ACTIVE and open their eyes and then ACT~~~

Of course, the residents must be allowed to not only attend Council meetings but also allow them to PARTIPATE…it has become quite clear why this has NOT been part of their agenda…
Joseph Lee

Say TJ,
Quit whining.
http://OakRidgeToday Barbara Halliburton

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