Board passes on adminstrative staff cut idea 
by Mark Berglund
The Star News
December 24, 2009 —  The Medford School Board passed on the idea of cutting an administrative position when the last-minute idea came forward at the December 17 regular meeting. First year board member Jeff Peterson suggested the cut during a discussion of the district structural budget deficit at this time to avoid the January 15, 2010 start of the next two-year administrative contract cycle.
Peterson, a member of the ad hoc pre-budget committee which met this fall, said the easy cuts the board can make are already complete and tougher ones are coming. He made the motion to have first-year district administrator Pat Sullivan bring a recommendation to a special meeting before January 15 of the administrative position which could be cut. The board would need a special meeting for the action as it will not meet until after January 15.
Board member Denny Gebert did not like the idea of the board forcing the cut onto Sullivan. "We are not here every day. I'd feel more comfortable if the initial recommendation came from the administrator," Gebert said. He said it is not the role of the board to dictate which positions are cut in the administrative or teaching staff. "The cart does not lead the horse," he said.
Sullivan said any recommendation for a cut would come from the board's direction and not from his experience so far in the district. "I don't feel we are heavy in administration," Sullivan said. "If I come to you by January 15 it would be because I am directed to do it. It is nothing I would throw my support behind."
The board looked at a possible position cut last year if an administrator had left for another job, but ultimately decided to keep its current levels.
Peterson's motion was defeated 5-3. Board members Jeff Lange and George Southworth joined him in voting to direct Sullivan to recommend a cut. Board members Mark Reuter, Cheryl Wibben, Dede Strama, Dave Fleegel and Gebert voted against the motion.
The district's administrative staff includes first-year district administrator Pat Sullivan, building principals Jill Lybert (MASH), Al Leonard (MAMS), Dan Miller (MAES) and Don Everhard (SAES), middle school assistant principal and RVA/rural tech net administrator Charlie Heckel, athletic director and high school vice principal Bob Wiinamaki, special ed student services director Joe Gregert, director of curriculum and instruction Laura Lundy and director of business services Jeff Albers.

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