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Personnel committee approves new supervisor for strategic initiatives after debate over cost and revenue goals
Summary
The West Chester Area School District Personnel Committee approved a new supervisor for strategic initiatives and district partnerships 3‑1 after members pressed for clearer cost estimates and assurances that revenue‑generating efforts (advertising, sponsorships) would benefit students.
The West Chester Area School District Personnel Committee approved a new job description for a supervisor of strategic initiatives and district partnerships by voice vote, 3‑1, after members questioned how board‑secretary duties would be reallocated and whether the position would be net‑neutral in cost.
Ms. Bernadette Rita, who presented the job description to the committee, said the role "would be a cabinet level position" focused on coordinating initiatives across the district and working with the district’s cabinet and partners, including the West Chester Area Education Foundation. She said some board‑secretary functions would be transitioned to another staff member while this role would retain scheduling and organizational support for district leadership.
Dr. Christopher, the district superintendent, urged a careful cost review and said the district has only "scratched the surface" of potential revenue streams such as advertising and sponsorships on athletic scoreboards and naming rights. He said the job historically had been a staff function in other districts and stressed the time and relationship building needed to generate meaningful revenue. Ms. Rita estimated the incremental salary for the new resource at about $25,000 to $35,000 beyond existing assistant support but said a full, fully loaded cost (salary plus benefits) had not yet been calculated.
Several board members said they supported exploring partnership‑driven revenue but pressed for safeguards to ensure new funds "are close to the students" rather than absorbed into operational expenses. Director Parkinson asked for reporting back to the board on revenue generated and recommended creating a discrete revenue code so sponsorship and advertising income can be tracked.
Board members also discussed equity and community sensitivity around different sponsorship models. Dr. Christopher recalled prior district experiences with indoor sponsorships that generated pushback and said the district would limit exposure to venue‑level advertising rather than in‑building placements involving students.
The committee approved the job description 3‑1. Committee members noted the position and its job classification will return for full‑board action, and the administration will provide more detailed costing and reporting metrics when the item goes before the whole board.
