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Board approves new student services director position after debate over scope and cost
Summary
The Manitowoc School District board voted 4–2 to convert a special education coordinator role into a full-time student services director, a change staff said will add year‑round leadership and flexibility but will cost roughly $20,000 more annually.
The Manitowoc School District board voted 4–2 to create a student services director position intended to provide year‑round leadership for special education and related student services.
Superintendent said the position is proposed after a recent resignation of the special education coordinator and a district review of that role. He told the board the coordinator worked 195.5 days and lacked summer availability needed for planning, and that the director would be a 260‑day administrative contract with authority to evaluate and discipline staff. "If we do not find the right person who we believe will produce results, we won't hire this position," the superintendent said, adding the district is focused on hiring someone who can "move the dial" on outcomes for students with disabilities.
Board members questioned whether the problem was the job description or the prior incumbent's performance and whether adding a director would dilute attention to counseling, nursing and social work. A board member asked whether the district needed a better coordinator or a director; staff replied a director would have administrative authority and the capacity to make systemic changes. Stacy, who said she has performed the special education director role in a smaller district, said a director can "globally look at" therapy staff, nurses, counselors and social workers and make systemwide decisions.
On cost, the superintendent estimated about a $20,000 increase over the current coordinator pay but emphasized the district would view the hire as a return on investment toward raising student achievement. The board discussed recruitment and salary bands; staff said administrator salary ranges are laid out in the district's administrator handbook and that experience would affect final pay.
A motion to approve the position was made and seconded after further remarks. The chair read the roll call after the vote: "Trask, Olsen, Hansen, Lofi Blanik voted aye. Shaw, Abel voted no." The motion carried 4–2. The superintendent said he will supervise the new director and expects the role to support the district's strategic priorities.
The board did not adopt any additional salary detail at the meeting; staff said they will proceed with recruitment under the approved structure.
