A late change to the proposed Waterville Central School 2022-23 budget added an administrative position to assist with disciplinary matters.
A Dean of Students position will be shared between the two schools. WCS Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Spring said taking some of the discipline problems away from the two building principals will allow them to focus on curriculum and with teachers.
“This is sorely needed,’’ Spring said. “Many of our students are struggling. Our principals need to be supported better.’’
To fund the position, budgeted at $70,000 to $80,000, Board members voted to increase the tax levy the maximum allowable 3.4 percent. “To make that happen we need the 3.4 percent without cutting things in the budget,’’ Board member Russell Stewart said.
Their meeting last week began with an hour-long executive session with representatives from the Waterville Teachers Association. Teachers are working under a contract that expired in June 2020, which is noted on the flyers many of them have put in their car windows.
When the public session began, Spring reviewed the vacancies in the district and where they fall in being filled.
Four candidates are being interviewed for the Director of Special Education programs position. Spring said a recommendation for Board approval will be at the May 10 meeting.
Interviews begin in early May for the Junior-Senior High Principal position. Spring said an appointment recommendation will be at the May 24 meeting.
Spring reviewed other new positions in the budget, some of which are being funded through the federal recovery money. Two Academic Intervention Support/Special Education teachers will be hired, one for fourth through sixth grades and one for seventh through ninth.
Two teacher assistants who will push into classrooms will be hired, one for each school.
A social worker at the Junior-Senior High has already been hired and will continue next year.
Spring said the new Dean of Students position will be funded partially through breakage - the difference in pay rate from the former person in a position to the new person hired - next year.
Other new initiatives in the proposed budget, which is $20,043,000, are adding a Spanish teacher at MPS, purchasing a new reading series at MPS, continuing to…
Comments