Superintendent announces retirement; interim superintendent named

The superintendent announced they will retire and said they have named Jeff Billy as the district’s interim superintendent while the board considers a long-term replacement. "I am going to retire as the superintendent," the superintendent said during the report to the board, and announced the appointment of Jeff Billy as interim superintendent.

In the same report the superintendent described personnel changes across the district: the food service director has retired and Susanna Bemens was hired as food service supervisor, Sierra Britton was hired as maintenance and custodial supervisor, Tanya Cinto was moved from Winter Lakes Elementary to special programs director, and Chris Anderson was hired as Winter Lakes Elementary principal. The superintendent also said negotiation produced $15,000 in savings on contracted speech services with Catherine Wright.

The superintendent tied these staffing adjustments to budget pressures caused by declining enrollment and said the personnel realignments and contract savings will help cover an estimated $179,000 reduction in potential revenue for next year. The board did not take further action on the superintendent’s retirement during the meeting; the superintendent said the interim will serve until the board decides on a long-term solution.