Garfield board approves personnel position controls, finance, facilities and policy items; orders guardrail and backs esports lab

The Garfield Public School District Board of Education on April 28 approved personnel position controls and passed a package of finance, education, facilities and policy items, while board and district leaders emphasized the approvals do not immediately add new payroll lines.

The approvals were part of the board’s consent motions covering personnel items 7.1–7.18, finance items in the 9.x series, education items 11.1–11/2021, facilities items 13.1–13.2 and policy items 16.1–16.2. The board also voted to place a purchase order for an esports lab at Garfield High School, ordered 100 feet of guardrail for the Semmel Avenue and Palisade corners, and authorized continued work on gym renovations and backstop repairs.

Superintendent Dr. Tomko told the board that the personnel items put job descriptions and position controls on the district’s books but are “not additional positions.” He said the district’s budget totals for administration are intended to remain the same and that the controls will allow the board and administration to post and fill roles later as needed. “These are not additional positions,” Dr. Tomko…