Cadott School Board; Staff positions switched up to increase hiring pool

By Julia Wolf

Cadott School Board members voted to shift around a number of staff positions, to increase the hiring pool, during a Committee of the Whole meeting, May 31.

Prior to the vote, the district was in search of a half-time athletic director (AD)/half-time middle school science teacher, as well as a full-time blended learning supervisor.

“Usually...a full-time position will fill better,” said Jenny Stark, district administrator.

Starck says the seventh and eighth-grade science teacher requires a specific licensure, and when combined with the AD position, was not gaining as much interest as other positions.

Starck suggested the board split the full-time blended learning position, which is currently open, and combine one half of the position with the AD duties and the other half with the science teacher position.

“It makes it a lot more flexible for both positions, to get better candidates,” said Starck.

She says the blended learning position is considered a support staff position. The online classes the blended learning position supervises all have licensed, online teachers. Starck says the position requires organizational skills, some technology skills to monitor students and good classroom management skills.

Board member Cory LaNou says his only concern is that someone will use the blended learning/AD position as a stepping stone to a full-time AD position elsewhere. Starck says it is possible that could happen, but says no other districts in the conference or roughly Cadott’s size, have full-time ADs.

“So, this is actually very common then,” said LaNou. “At least here, you get a full-time job.”

Following the discussion, members voted to make the changes to the staff position as presented.

In a facilities update, Starck reported that two businesses offered to sponsor the scoreboards for the big gym, which allows the district to get the scoreboards with space for statistics. The donations will be on the next agenda for approval.

“Now that school is out, some of this gym work is going to start in earnest,” said Starck.

The board also discussed issues with the softball field, after a cable for a score board was buried in the field and days of rain caused problems.

Sue Shakal, director of finance and human resources, says the cable was buried in the field, instead of outside the fence, because there are already other electrical and fiber optics cables in that area.

Starck says it is something they can continue to talk about the field, if issues persist.

Board members also de-briefed on how the strategic planning meeting went. The members said they thought it went well and said they would like to set up a time to round off the project with Drew Howick, Howick associates.

Members also discussed board meeting structure and location. They agreed they would like the meetings moved back to the high school library.

LaNou also asked if it would be possible to share some of the background information with the public, when the agendas are posted online. He says he thinks it would help the community be more involved with the board, since they would have a better idea of what is being voted on.

“As soon as you put it up there, it becomes a pubic record,” said LaNou of the documents shared on the powerpoint screen during the meeting.

He said, since it becomes public record anyway, they are just making it harder for people to request the information.

Starck says she could include links on the agenda posted online, and keep the basic agenda for places a paper copy is posted, to keep it cleaner looking.

Board member Christine Rowe also brought up the possibility of livestreaming the meetings.

“I know it’s been brought up quite a few times,” said Rowe.

Starck says she thinks it is possible to livestream, but she would need to talk to Nick Kotek, media specialist, to see what equipment is needed. Board vice president Becca Blanchette agreed that it would be nice if they could look into what is all needed.

“I think it’s just going to become the new normal,” said LaNou of livestreaming events. “It’s just going to be expected.”

Members also approved the hire of Lisa Balko, seventh and eighth-grade interventionalist; Sarah Winchester, one-year elementary special education; Josh Hennes, family and consumer education; Allison Boos, elementary secretary; and Aaron Hawkins, elementary lead custodian.