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West Geauga staff cuts hurt, public says
(by Sue Hoffman - March 24, 2011)
West Geauga staff cuts hurt, public says
By SUE HOFFMAN
Several members of the public expressed their concern about staff cuts at Monday's West Geauga School Board meeting. They also said the board needs to schedule community meetings where there would be time to comment and ask questions.
"We came with a lot of passion at the last meeting to impress on the board that parents are committed to making this the best district in the state of Ohio," Ian Glass, of Russell, said. A true public meeting is needed, he said. "We feel we are somewhat disenfranchised. I implore you to work with us so we can have a public dialogue about the future of the school district."
The school board scheduled the first community meeting at 7 p.m. April 11 in the middle school cafeteria. The public may e-mail questions in advance or submit them on cards at the door, board members said.
Prior to Monday's public comments, school board President William Beers told the audience that school board meetings take place in a public setting and include a public-comment section, but they are not meetings in which the public can fully participate.
Discussion of community meetings was on the board's agenda, which also included renewals of administrative contracts and the reduction in force of the communications director for the next school year. Bonnie Gruttadauria, who has held that position 10 years, received a contract renewal but the contract was suspended.
High school students spoke on behalf of the school's media specialist and librarian, Amy Myers. Other members of the public said they are concerned about cutting other staff positions.
High school junior Sasha Carter read a letter about how Mrs. Myers provides many services, including overseeing the library's resources, instruction to students and professional development of staff. She also serves as adviser to the school's TV club, which does the morning announcements, Sasha said. "She always encourages us to do the right thing."
Emily Gatautis, also a junior, presented a petition signed by over 300 students on Mrs. Myers' behalf.
At a recent meeting, the school board approved $750,000 in budget reductions, including a central-office position and 6.75 full-time-equivalent certificated staff positions, among others. Staff positions scheduled to be reduced include a nurse, librarian, Spanish teacher, physical education teacher, elementary school teacher and math-science lab teacher.
The school board said it will consider staff contracts in April.
The board voted 4-0 to approve administrative contract renewals Monday for the following: Ed Chandler, systems technician; John Cardiero, athletic director; Jay Bishop, assistant principal; Ron Dahlhoffer, assistant principal; and Denise Brewster, principal.
Board member Dean Patterson was absent from the meeting.
The board voted 3-1 for a contract renewal for Brenda Armstrong, director of academic services, and for Mrs. Gruttadauria but later suspended it.
Board member Michael Kilroy voted against the two contract renewals. He said Mrs. Armstrong's position was originally scheduled to be cut, and the reduction is needed. He said there are more efficient ways to run communications.
School Superintendent Thomas Diringer said he disagrees with Mrs. Brewster's contract, renewal because she will be entering her seventh year as a retire-rehire. He said a retire-rehire should save the district a significant amount of money and have a specific purpose and should not continue for many years.
He said that is the way he views his own position as a retire-rehire. "My role is not and should not be long term." Dr. Diringer, who started his position last summer with a three-year contract, said he makes "significantly fewer dollars" than his predecessor, "and I bring specific experience in facing and addressing difficult financial circumstances.
"As you may be aware, there is considerable debate about the use of the retire-rehire concept in the public sector," Dr. Diringer said. "Certainly, that includes school districts. Unlike most people, I neither strongly oppose nor support the concept. Instead, I believe that it serves a legitimate, though limited, purpose."
He said he favored changing the director of academic services to an assistant superintendent's position that would include director of communications.
The board approved the reduction in force on a 3-1 vote. Mr. Beers, Mr. Kilroy and Ben Pintabona voted in favor of it, while Sally Gillmore voted against it.
Mr. Pintabona, however, said he's concerned that the communications position is "too important to set aside" and wonders what would take its place.
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