School District Correspondence Made Public Page 3

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• The administration interviewed and hired the best person for the position of
executive secretary to the Superintendent. The salary was within the range and
guidelines for the position, recommended by the Superintendent and approved by
the personnel committee and the full Board. It is a demanding position and
requires specialized skills. The new high school secretary is a transfer from within
the district and no new money is being expended; that secretary will continue to
earn her current salary. There is no savings possible. 

• The current Public Information Officer replaced the former grant writer/Special
Projects Director as the District\’s grant writer/ Special Projects Director. Because
of her expertise and past experience both for other schools and government
agencies, after several months as the grant writer was asked to also become the
Public Information Officer for the District. There was no additional raise or
stipend offered just more job responsibilities. The salary of the grant writer is
funded entirely through the grants that are written. This year the grants total is
over $4 million additional dollars brought in to the District. 

Four million dollars buys a lot of goods and services. Just SOME of what it buys: 

1. Fifteen (15) full time teaching positions that did NOT have to be eliminated next
year 

2. One million dollars fully funds and operates the after school programs, supporting
everything including over 100 teaching and paraprofessional salaries 

3. Summer school programs, including salaries, at all three buildings 

4. Free breakfast and lunch for the children in summer school at all three buildings 

5. All of the professional development for the district staff 

6. All of the curriculum development, mandated by the state 

7. All of the college credit bearing courses for our high school students. 

8. The new autism program, including 3 new professionals – speech, occupational
and behavioral specialists 

9. The countless job shadowing, post secondary career exploration opportunities for
our high school students 

10. The family counseling service Positive Outcomes, so very much needed in this
community 

11. Books for the new high school library 

This is just the short list, because the whole list is very lengthy. There are many other goods and services, key academic and enrichment programs that grants provide. This from one professional, whose position is not even funded with district monies. 

Perhaps those that continue to have questions or concerns about school decisions should join the Key Communicators, who attend bi-monthly meetings and are given updates on the operations and concerns of the district. Many key communicators also attend school board meetings, where all decisions are discussed and opportunities to ask and hear answers are afforded. Everyone is invited to become a key communicator. 

Challenging the Board to make informed decisions about all matters is a good thing. But listening to the reply of the challenge is a responsible thing. Let\’s continue to do both!