Friday, March 21, 2008
By Harold Gwin
Board members said some top administrative posts will be cut within three years.
YOUNGSTOWN — It took a one-hour, closed-door session to hash it out, but the Youngstown Board of Education finally voted to renew the jobs of 40 administrators for next school year.
The board had to decide on the renewals requested by schools Superintendent Wendy Webb by March 31, or they would all automatically roll over into new contracts anyway.
The issue had been on the board’s agenda for its regular meeting Tuesday but got postponed when four board members indicated they wanted the superintendent to re-examine the list to determine if some top-level administrators might be cut. It was the only item on the agenda of a special meeting called Thursday.
The board did agree to cut 13 administrative posts at Tuesday’s meeting — five from the central office and eight school positions for a total savings of about $1.1 million. Board member Dominic Modarelli pushed for a review of the renewal list, saying he thought more central office people at the top of the pay scale might be cut.
In the end, all seven board members voted Thursday for the 40 renewals proposed by Webb.
Modarelli said later that the superintendent explained to board members that she felt no more cuts could be made for next year without seriously hampering her ability to run the district.
“We’re looking to the future now,” Modarelli said, explaining that Webb has indicated there will be additional administrative cuts in the future, and some of them will be at the top.
Shelley Murray, board president, confirmed that Webb had spoken to each board member by telephone after Tuesday’s meeting to explain her plans.
Those plans will include eliminating some of the 11 Cabinet-level posts the district now has, Murray said, declining to be specific about the number. Those cuts will come as the pupil enrollment declines, Murray said, noting that the state predicts Youngstown will be down to about 5,500 pupils by 2011. Current enrollment stands at 7,700.
Murray did say that the plan tentatively identifies the post of supervisor of community relations as a Cabinet-level job that will likely be eliminated, perhaps for the 2009-10 school year, and the duties reassigned to other staff members. That post is now held by M. Michael McNair.
Board members accepted Webb’s vision and agreed to support her renewal recommendations, Murray said.
There are about 10 other administrators who are in the middle of two-year contracts who didn’t come up for renewal. They will also remain in place next school year.
Before the vote, board member Lock P. Beachum Sr. reminded the board that the district has made progress in reducing its costs but added that the cutbacks should have started three years ago to follow declining enrollment.
The board can’t ask taxpayers to increase their burden if it isn’t willing to face the reality of the situation and cut spending, Beachum said, a reference to three unsuccessful attempts to get votes to approve a 9.5-mill, five-year tax levy.
Youngstown ran a $15 million general fund deficit last year and was placed under fiscal emergency by the state. The district has cut spending by about $19 million so far and plans to cut $7.1 million more next year.
The board took no action on another personnel issue, essentially allowing the contract of Holly Airhart, assistant treasurer, to roll over for an additional two years.
Airhart had been on the list of administrative cuts at Tuesday’s meeting, but the board removed her name at the last minute. Murray said at the time that the board needed to consult with its attorney regarding Airhart’s position but declined to elaborate.
Murray said Thursday that the attorney advised the board to take no action and allow Airhart’s contract to roll over.
gwin@vindy.com