District presents 'rightsizing' plan that would keep 1.5 superintendent and add licensed dean

The Kenyon-Wanamingo School District presented a draft staffing and budget plan tied to consolidating district operations into one building during a work-session meeting. Superintendent (presenter) told the board: "we're going to be in 1 building, is to have 1.5 superintendent," and said the current 1.5 arrangement would continue into next year.

The presenter described the proposed administrative line-up in more detail: a 1.05 grades 7–12 principal would remain "nothing would change with mister Ryan," a 1.0 licensed dean for preK–4 would be added to cover the other half of the superintendent's current elementary duties, and the district would move assessment-coordinator responsibilities into the instructional-coach role after the retirement of Jill Paulson. "That gives you a principal line, but it also gives us a backup if needed," the presenter said.

Board members asked for clarification on cost and seniority assumptions. A board member asked whether the $70,000 line item included benefits; a finance staff member responded that the figure did not include benefits and accounts only for salary and FICA/TRA. The superintendent acknowledged the need to confirm figures with staff and said she would run related numbers before the next meeting.

The presenter emphasized the plan is part of a broader rightsizing approach tied to consolidation and cautioned not to treat all savings as recurring. "We can't continue to hang on to people not knowing if we have enough kids for them," she said, noting the district will make final decisions after more data and that no vote would occur at this session.

The board expects a formal vote on any changes at the next meeting once administration supplies line-by-line figures and retirement assumptions.