School District Reorganization Proposed

In advance of Saturday's introduction of the proposed 2012-2013 Salem School District operating budget, SAU 57 Superintendent Michael Delahanty informed the board of a proposal he'll be making regarding changes to the district's organization.

The biggest change comes in the form of changing the title of the business administrator to the assistant superintendent for business operations, Delahanty explained, and the addition of one new position in the central office.

There would be four people–the directors of human resources, facilities and maintenance, finance and food service–that would report to the new assistant superintendent.

Delahanty explained that changes have been needed in the organization for years based on current staffing and responsibilities.

"We haven't updated our organizational chart in quite a long time," Delahanty said.

Delahanty said the finance director would be a new position who would "specifically oversee just the budget operations."

Right now Linda MacDonald, who has served as the district's business administrator for 24 years, has been dealing with budgets, federal grant management, loans for school renovations and many new regulations with many more to come, Delahanty said.

"Having a director of finance is an appropriate position to add," Delahanty said, adding MacDonald has been acting as a "de facto" second assistant superintendent for many functions.

Right now the district has one assistant superintendent, Edie Soley.

Board member Bernie Campbell asked that specific job descriptions for both the new position and the redefined position be made available at least before a presentation is made to the Budget Committee, which Delahanty said would happen.

"I think this is excellent and a really good start," Board Chair Peter Morgan said.

The School Board will get their first look at the proposed budget Saturday morning at 8 a.m. at the Salem High School TV studio.