Wahluke schools cuts two positions
MATTAWA — The Wahluke School District is continuing to discuss possible staff cuts in order to alleviate financial hardships the district has been experiencing.
At a May 4 board meeting, administrators announced two cuts to positions in the district administration building. One of those is the position of associate superintendent and the other the business manager position.
Currently Rick Molitor is performing job duties for both of those positions under the title of associate superintendent of human resources.
In a phone interview Friday morning interim superintendent Cece Mahre said those are the only confirmed staff cuts being made at this time.
Mahre went on to say that the board will be establishing a special meeting date next week to talk about possible reduction in programs.
That meeting will generate further discussion on what staffing positions will be cut and which ones will remain, Mahre said.
If other staff positions are to be cut, those individuals are expected to receive reduction in force notices no later than May 15.
Other recent school board decisions:
? At the April 20 meeting, Molitor gave a fiscal report showing the projected year ending fund balance is expected to be at $775,000, a $678,000 decrease from the district's beginning fund balance of $1.4 million.
? Maria Olivares presented the board at the April 20 meeting with a letter and packet requesting the district not renew its custodial contract with American Building maintenance. Olivares said employees feel they would work better for the school as ABM is more concerned about profit.
? During its April meeting, the board approved a reconfiguration timeline for moving grade levels to different buildings by June 9 upon completion of the new high school.
At the May 4 meeting, the board agreed to have former principal Harry Clemmons out of Kennewick assist in the reconfiguration.
The timeline calls for moving seventh- and eighth-grade students to the old high school; ninth- through 12th-grade students to the new high school; second- and fifth-grade students will move one week prior to the start of the 2006-2007 school year.
? The district approved funding on April 20 to pay for a summer school principal, nurse and some busing for $15,500.
? Mike Holland was approved on April 20 for the position of summer school principal.
? At a special board meeting April 26, the resignation of middle school principal Lester McCormick was approved, effective at the end of his current contract.