Board debates restructure to a preK–12 principal and assistant as enrollment trends shift

The superintendent presented a reorganization plan proposing a preK–12 principal supported by an assistant principal, a business administrator, director of special education and a senior building maintenance worker, with a reduction in some administrative and support positions.

The superintendent said the change is aimed at making the district “leaner on the administrative side” as enrollment declines and to provide career pathways for staff. She said the assistant-principal role would provide an entry-level administrative pathway and allow the district to be more nimble with future staffing changes.

Board members raised concerns about workload and whether one principal could effectively cover preK–12 responsibilities. One member noted that the role is "almost impossible to do" while wearing multiple hats, and several members asked staff to model cost offsets and to clarify exact duties. The superintendent said the district would use the proposed structure to shape the next budget and would revisit the scenario multiple times.

On compensation, the superintendent gave a general estimate for assistant-principal pay (including benefits) and noted the position’s market pressures; board members urged staff to provide a precise offset analysis comparing current salaries and benefits with the proposed structure before any vote.

Members emphasized the district’s strength in retaining staff but acknowledged the regional market for administrators is competitive. The board asked the business office to run numbers showing the net difference between current staffing costs and the proposed structure to inform a subsequent budget vote.