Pearl River Board of Education Considering Reorganization of Administration

The Pearl River School District Administration will take on a new look for 2011-12 and the changes may keep coming.

The district has already appointed Assistant Superintendent Dr. John Morgano to take the place of retiring Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Auriemma and Sandra Cokeley, director of community relations, announced that she will retire in December.

Morgano announced when the 2011-12 budget passed that he would be recommending a restructuring of the administration to the board of education. The district announced the form of that proposal this morning.

The board is considering a plan that would take the functions currently performed by three administrative positions -- assistant superintendent, director of curriculum and director of community relations -- and combine them into two.

At the next board of education meeting June 7, Morgano will recommend current Director of Curriculum Sue Wheeler for the newly-created position of assistant superintendent of schools for curriculum and instruction. Wheeler has been the district's director of curriculum for seven years. In the new position, she would be responsible for overseeing the special services, technology and health services departments, coordinating the new teacher mentor program, serving as board policy liason, creating the district calendar, district newsletter and district Data Book. She would also oversee home schooling and student registration as well as continuing her work as director of curriculum.

The board will also consider approving a second new position, director of human resources and community services. Among this director's duties would be personnel matters, compliance with Civil Service rules and regulations, handling contract negotiations, managing the district's adult education program. This director would also handle media relations, FOIL requests and records management, district publications, the district website and act as liason with the PTA's and community groups.

If the position is approved, a district-wide search committee would be formed to interview candidates and recommend three finalists to the board of education.

The primary motivation for the proposed reorganization is to cut costs.

“In the recent past, we have taken a multi-year approach to our budget development process,” Morgano said. “Based on all of the information we have to date, we know that 2012-13 and 2013-14 will most likely be more challenging than what we’ve already experienced. Through this reorganization, we hope to enhance the alignment of our senior leadership with our three district goals – academics, perception and cost-efficiency.”

According to a press release from the district, the estimated savings from this restructuring would be approximately $150,000, though the final number will not be known until all appointments are made. The reorganization would be effective July 1.

“While this restructuring will be challenging for an already lean administrative staff, we are obligated to try and contain costs wherever possible, particularly in non-instructional areas,” said Board of Education President Michael Clohessy.