| By Bob Weaver
The issue of the Calhoun school board office reductions and job consolidations being part of Calhoun superintendent of schools Tim Woodward's deficit reduction plan, could be more clear with a statement he issued over the weekend.
"None of these positions are increases. They are collectively a $66,000 (deficit) decrease. When a person took the job on a new scale their pay was set. Which may have been increases for an individual, not the position," said Woodward.
The board office reorganization, which is reported to be about one to 1.5 reductions in full-time people, has affected at least four employees, two have lost their jobs and two have the option to seek future employment in the system.
Two have reported to be filing grievances with the state's Grievance Board.
Other critics of the board office reorganization have questioned the need for an Assistant Superintendent, with a school enrollment of just above 1,000.
Some confusion about the newly created board office jobs are centered on supplements for the new positions, up to $9,100, after $600 supplements given teachers and service employees in 1991 were removed last year.
Those latest supplements were put out for public comment.
Supplements are generally added pay for basic salaries.
An official statement indicates that some of the supplements come from state monies:
"There are no proposed pay increases for any county administrators. Administrator's salaries are based on education level, years of experience, a county supplement and a supplement from the state based on the number of employees supervised."
Woodward, upset over the Herald's news model of written questions requiring written answers, advised the Herald he is "directing my [Woodard's] office to have no further comment to you on the matter as it appears to be an intentional lack of understanding."
The superintendent maintains that public information can best be provided by one-on-one interviews or by attending more school board meetings.
Woodward, administrators and school board members face a daunting task to reduce a $1.8 million deficit discovered in 2014, with declining enrollment, fewer dollars flowing from the state school formula and county voters declining to pass an operations levy twice.
The superintendent says he is available to answer questions, and those attending board meetings can have their questions answered.
See CALHOUN SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS GETTING A PAY RAISE, OR NOT? - Deficit Reduction Move Contentious Issue
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