"Speaking just for myself, I was concerned when I heard about
these bonuses," said David Weber, chairman of the Zoo-Museum
District's board. It stands out from "what we've heard from the
other institutions and the cost-cutting measures they're
taking."
In Boyle's case, Hellman said, the financial officer deserved
her bonus, even though she started so late in 2010. "She gave us a
really good transition," he said, "and we rewarded her for that
outstanding contribution."
"It removes any concerns that taxpayers might have," Hellman
said. "But we're still going to use incentive compensation in
certain years and with certain people. We still believe it's
right."
The pay is tied to objective
performance standards that vary depending on executives'
responsibilities, said Ted Hellman,
"The science center is on a trajectory that is very serious,"
Ben Uchitelle, a former Clayton mayor who chairs the Zoo-Museum
District's audit committee, said at a May 31 meeting. "It spends
more than it makes."
"They have a right to review our finances, and they have done so
consistently in the past," Hellman said. "We welcome the
review."