Lengthy discussion ensued at the Falls School Board meeting Tuesday about the hiring process for multiple staffing positions as well as the superintendent position, open in District 361.
Elements of the discussion centered on the application selection, candidate selection, interview formats and the makeup of an interviewing committee.
In the final analysis, the board agreed that school principals have the final say in screening and selecting candidates to fill teaching and other positions; and that five-member teams comprised of teachers, parents, school board members and administration would be involved in a non-group interviewing process.
Interim Superintendent Kevin Grover stated that he had some concerns about interview confidentiality when members of the public are involved. But he agreed with board member Stuart Nordquist that the feature had worked in the past and an obligation of confidentiality should be stressed to anyone connected to the interviewing process.
Principal Jerry Hilfer reported that 76 candidates had submitted 108 applications for open positions at the elementary level.
Formal approval by the school board is the final step in the hiring of new personnel.
In a parallel discussion, Grover reminded the board that the closing date for superintendent applications is Friday. Grover is one of the candidates for the position. He told the board that they should also have a plan for that hiring process.
Sue Karsnia of the District 361 business office told the board members she would send all of the paperwork sent by superintendent applicants to each of them for the selection process. The Committee of the Whole will review all of the applications. She reminded them that in the past, prior to the hiring of Don Langan, a community board was also chosen to interview potential superintendents.
The board agreed that site visits by applicants, when warranted, would be utilized for potential superintendents. It agreed to meet this month for a collective screening process, as well as a budget work session.
The board approved in a 3-2 vote the adoption of forms to attach to a veterans preference policy as it applies to applicants’ ranking.
The subject of cash flow after the recent notification of a delay in state-aid payments was initiated by Grover. The delayed payments in 2010 and a property tax shift in 2011 will likely force the district to borrow funds “to pay the bills,” Grover said. The board adopted the tentative 2011 revenue budget and received the tentative 2011 expenditure budget.
Two items were removed from Tuesday’s agenda. The first was a 2010-2011 contract with Enstrom Studios on the agenda for approval as the district school-photos provider.
Grover, after considerable research on the issue, presented three package and cost comparisons for school photos. Two of the companies were from outside the area, the most cost efficient — Enstrom Studios.
Several board members, as well as a few people in attendance, voiced their strong feeling that the contract should be made with a local business, namely Cedulie’s Photography.
While board member Willi Kostiuk said he felt strongly that the contract should remain local, Grover reminded the board that although a local contract would be a good thing — not only cost, but time (used to complete the photos), should also be considered.
“Money is not an issue,” Kostiuk said, noting the monetary comparisons.
“Yes it is, to some people,” Grover replied, noting the differences in the packages as well as the cost.
Cedulie LaVigne explained her own timing schedule; and Stacey Cann and Becky Roeder voiced their opinions on the negative quality and quantities of the packages offered by outside companies. Several board members said they have received opinions on inferior photo quality in the past.
The board agreed to step back for a reviewing of the proposed packages and costs by all entities, which also should include another local photographer who inquired recently, and other interested local photographers, Grover said.
The second agenda removal was approval of a district contract with David Skwarok as technology director. Nordquist said the contract contained certain violations. The board approved amendments to the proposed contract which included returning it to a one-year time frame and removing a “me too” clause.
In a unique move, the board approved a request by a Vietnam veteran for a Falls High School diploma without apparent graduation or a GED. The veteran reportedly attended sixth grade through mid-10th grade in the district but enlisted in military service and went on to earn a medal of honor during the Vietnam War.
“I have no problem with this at all,” said Kostiuk. “Just give it to him. It sounds like he’s sacrificed a lot.” Whether the diploma will be awarded by the board or at the FHS graduation ceremony is to be decided by the veteran.
