tGobeske to take on extra duties in revised administration
The Orcas Island School District Board made quick work of momentous changes and loose ends at their special meeting on Thursday, Aug. 14.
They completed the administrative restructure begun three weeks ago with former Superintendent Glenn Harris’ resignation, by swearing in Barbara Kline as the half-time superintendent for the district. Kline has served the district for 17 years, most recently as Middle/High School Principal.
She will continue to serve as High School Principal, at a .5 full-time equivalent (FTE) position.
Superintendent Kline took an oath, administered by Board President Janet Brownell, to fulfill the duties of District Superintendent and Secretary to the OISD board at the meeting.
Following the brief ceremony, Board Member Charlie Glasser said, “This is a major, significant day for this school district. We have a first class person of tremendous ability leading the district, and we are very much looking forward to the future.”
Elementary Principal Tom Gobeske’s contract was revised to reflect his added administrative responsibilities, as principal for grades K through 8. Gobeske will also take on supervisory responsibilities for the Maintenance, Transportation and Food Service operations of the OISD.
The position of Special Education (Special Services) Director will be open at .2 FTE in the OISD program.
The board also accepted a $25,000 private donation to fund a full-time aide for the district’s all-day kindergarten.
After some discussion, the board approved the consent agenda, which restored FTE hours to teachers Kathleen Collister, Laura Tidwell, Victoria Clancy, Mark Padbury, Catherine Laflin, Kari Schuh, Serra Benson and Paul Evans.
They also approved opening certificated positions in high school art and marine biology. The board opened a classified librarian position at .364 FTE, or 3.75 hours for 181 school days. This position had been reduced by 20 percent by the board in a previous meeting.
The board, with Board member Tony Ghazel voting against the resolution, and Board Member Scott Lancaster abstaining, adopted reductions in classified positions in technology and food service support, and signed off on several housekeeping resolutions.
Ghazel expressed his concerns that if enrollment declines, these positions should not be funded by the reserve fund. Scott Lancaster repeated that concern, saying nothing was stated in the documentation to indicate that the positions would not be funded out of the reserve fund.
However, Board member Keith Whitaker pointed out that the reinstatements were in line with the minimum education plan that was approved by the board in April, with the only additional money being spent coming directly from community donations or from grants.
Brownell noted that she and Kline had met with Business Manager Ben Thomas and District Secretary Sharron Mierau, and that the figures had been approved by Thomas.
The board plans to review with Kline and Gobeske the administrative changes by Sept. 30, with a workshop/retreat to be scheduled by that date.
The 2008-2009 school year is scheduled to start on Wednesday, Sept. 3.
Future OISD meeting dates will be announced later.
