Board approves contracts

After some discussion, the school board voted 5-0 to approve the proposed contracts for both the elementary and high school principals as well as an additional stipend to be paid for the athletic director.

The contracts give both principals a salary of $66,000. Last year junior/senior high school principal Jan Harris received $54,000 and elementary principal Kenn Wathen received $64,000. Harris will also receive a $5,000 stipend for being the athletic director.

Superintendent Paul Sellon said his recommendation for the salaries were based upon a comparison with other districts in the corner conference.

Members of the board were concerned about any perceived inconsistencies between the salaries of the administration and the salaries of the teachers.

“It’s very hard to make a motion to bump up anyone’s salary with the financial position of this school right now,” Hilary Christiansen said. “I do think Mr. Harris should be bumped up to meet Mr. Wathen, but how can the money not be there for (the teachers) and yet be there for (the principals).”

Just prior to the meeting, representatives from the Hamburg Education Association met with representatives of the school board to discuss teacher salaries.

Since the legislature cut Phase I funding late in April, the district and teachers are scrambling to find a way to replace those dollars. If the School Board does not find a way to replace those dollars, Hamburg teachers will have $900 less in salary. The state dollars were meant to boost beginning teacher salaries and have become integrated into the teacher salary schedule.

The state cuts came after the district completed its budget, creating a $29,613 hole.

Sellon said that the recommendation for the principals’ raises were within the parameter of the budget and the $5,000 stipend for the athletic director position was the same as what had been paid to Todd Quick for his services last year.

“I would maintain the recommendation for the salaries are fair and reasonable,” Sellon said.

The board was also concerned if Harris would be able to fulfill the responsibilities associated with each position without taking away from the other.

“Is Mr. Harris going to sleep? The list (of responsibilities) goes on and on,” Christiansen said. “Is that going to take away from his duties as principal?”

Harris said he could handle it.

“I appreciate your worrying,” he said. “I did it for eight years at a school with one more sport than Hamburg. I don’t come into this with blinders on. I understand.”

In addition to approving the compensation for the principals, the board also voted 3-2 to enter into a sharing agreement with Farragut for shared transportation management.

Previously the board approved an agreement to share a business manager with Farragut. Due to the parameters of the agreements, and to ensure state dollars are received, Farragut’s current business manager, Denise Stevens, will be the business manager for both districts. Hamburg business manager Rhonda Shirley will be transportation manager for both districts. She will also continue duties as the board secretary and be the assistant business manager.

To receive the state incentive dollars, the two women must have different titles and responsibilities.

Currently Hamburg does not have a transportation manager and different parts of the job are completed by several different people. Shirley will be in a managerial position and maintain records.

“We’re trying not to add any position, but still get the incentive money,” Board President Bill Green said.

“My feeling is Rhonda is going to be our employee next year anyway because we already voted on her contract,” Christiansen said. “And (with the sharing agreement) we’re only going to pay half of her salary...So if we don’t vote tonight, that closes the door for that funding.”

Because no member of the board would second the motion on the sharing contract made by Christiansen, Green stepped down from overseeing the meeting, giving the chair to Greg Warden. Green made the second and the motion carried 3-2. Members Charlie Dovel and Lori Burge voted against the sharing of a transportation manager, believing it was unneeded.