Superintendent proposes org-chart changes and $7M recurring savings; board debates cuts, AI hire and student-services reorganization

Superintendent Dr. V. B. Hepburn presented a proposed organizational chart for 2025-26 at the May 9 board workshop that he said would produce about $7 million in recurring general-fund savings through consolidations, reassignments and targeted reductions.

What was proposed: The staff memo provided a district-wide organizational redesign intended to modernize leadership and realign functions for financial discipline and operational efficiency. Specific proposals mentioned in the workshop included: - Consolidating administrative functions to reduce redundancy and generate an estimated $7.0 million recurring savings (described as a mix of reassignments, funding realignments and staffing adjustments); - Creating a chief of student services to centralize ESE, health services and related student-support efforts; staff said the new chief would…