| By Bob Weaver
The Calhoun Board of Education in a 3-2 vote has approved the restoration of supplements to county central office administrators and others, with at least three receiving $9,100, after supplements were apparently removed last year.
The total amount of the supplement renewal was not available.
The removal of supplements appeared to be part of superintendent Tim Woodward's $1.1 million deficit reduction plan in an effort to clear a $1.8 million deficit of the Calhoun school system.
The deficit had reportedly accumulated over a period of four or five years, and Woodward and board members have a challenge since most of the system's budget is with salaries and personnel costs.
Last year's supplemental reductions also affected all county teachers and service personnel, losing $600 supplements that were given to them in 1999 during better economic times.
A number of teachers and service personnel have expressed discontent regarding administrators getting their supplements reinstated.
Following a grievance filed by about 45 county service personnel, their $600 supplement was restored for one year only.
Woodward said in December he followed an executive order from the State Superintendent to reduce all 200 day plus employees, reportedly linked to county supplemental pay, saving $106,000 or $115,000.
Questions have risen whether or not the reductions were linked to an executive order.
While four administrators lost their jobs in the central office, Woodward said the newly designed job titles required consolidated work duties, justifying the restoration of supplements, indicating the supplements are to retain qualified professionals.
Woodward said the central office changes eliminated up to 1.5 full time employees, saving $66,000.
Critics questioned whether the reorganization plan saved any money at all.
In a statement given to the Herald, Woodward indicated some of the supplemental money could be coming from state funds, while other officials say supplements come only from county tax funding.
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 Herald, in reporting on the issue, admits to a lack of clarity.
Steve Whited, board president, said the board will continue the difficult effort to reign in the deficit.
See UPDATE: CALHOUN SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT ISSUES DEFICIT REDUCTION STATEMENT - Changes Save $66,000, "Intentional Lack Of Understanding" Says Woodward
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