With the recent resignation of Principal Virginia Tulley, Evergreen Elementary School has found itself in need of new leadership. However, the school district itself is also facing tight finances, with the recent passage of a "no fat" budget. This budget does not allow for the hiring of a new principal, according to Superintendent Debbe Lancaster.
In response, the school board determined that a new leadership position was required. The board met in a special meeting last Friday, May 10, to officially create an "Assistant Principal/Head Teacher" position. Lancaster said that the school district has had positions like this before, but it has been some time since one was required. The district also determined to offer this position to Jennifer Miller. Miller is a third grade teacher at Evergreen Elementary, and has over two decades of teaching experience. Lancaster explained that, as superintendent, she would operate as the elementary school's building administrator, while Miller would take on more of the day-to-day duties of the principal. Along with the new position, according to Lancaster, Miller will be receiving a 12.5 percent pay raise. As Miller will not be able to teach and work as assistant principal at the same time, the elementary school will be hiring a new aide for the next school year.
Some members of the school board had concerns about creating this new position. Board Member Dave Wilson said he felt the pay raise was a bad idea with the district's current financial situation, and was also worried about the precedent creating this position could have. He also added that just because the district had done something similar in the past, it did not mean it was appropriate for the current situation.
"I have no opposition to the actual position, but I have an opposition to the pay increase," he said. "I think it's fiscally irresponsible of us to pay that much more money, and that actually puts them in a pay scale higher than any other administrator in the school district. I think it sets a bad precedent, and I think that this person, this position, comes out of the classroom and doesn't have the same classroom responsibilities that they should not be getting that much pay."
Board Member Annya Ritchie questioned the pay raise. She asked if Lancaster had considered the budget and the district's finances when coming to the decision to offer a pay raise. Lancaster answered that they had given it serious consideration, and she felt that it was sustainable. School Board President Aleisha Mollen agreed with Lancaster.
"With the budget we approved I think we figured that into it," Mollen said. "So I think that, at least for the moment, I'm convinced we can afford it. We never know what is going to happen year to year, and if something happens in the legislature next year we may have to change everything around, but I'm confident at least this year."
Aaron Angerman, board member, added to the discussion that as long as this was something all the teachers in the elementary school were okay with, he did not have a problem adopting this new position.
The vote was called shortly thereafter, and the motion was approved. Wilson was the only dissenting vote, who reiterated he was not against the assistant principal position, only the pay raise and the precedent it could set.
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