District 49 to reclassify grounds and building group managers as directors; no new positions added

Dr. Poole Fletcher, executive director of facilities and operations, presented a proposal to reclassify two existing roles — grounds group manager and building group manager — as director of grounds maintenance and director of building maintenance.

Fletcher said the move is primarily a title and classification change to align pay and position names with responsibilities already being performed. “Essentially, it’s a change of title. It’s a recognition of the responsibility that these individuals have had,” Fletcher said, adding the change does not add administrators or materially change day‑to‑day duties.

Board discussion focused on fiscal timing and precedent. Director Schmidt asked whether the district should pause title changes given tight budgets; Fletcher and Superintendent Peter Hiltz responded that the roles were already on the administrative pay schedule and the change replaces recurring stipends with an ongoing administrative classification, producing clearer budgeting without increasing headcount.

Directors and student board representatives praised the technicians named in the presentation for long service and leadership. Multiple board members said the district’s administrative ratio remains low compared with peers and that reclassification recognizes long‑standing responsibilities.

Next steps: if there are no objections the board chair moved the item to action for the April 10 board meeting.