Approves contract for short-term, half-time acting superintendent for $1
Two items were on the agenda for the Buttefield-Odin Public School (B-OPS) School Board at a Thursday evening, January 28 special meeting in the Media Center.
On the first agenda item, board members approved a short-term, half-time acting superintendent contract for Tom Ames for $1. Ames retired in 2010 as superintendent of St. Charles Public School, and currently is a part-time superintendent at both Madelia Public School and Parker’s Prairie Public School. He also operates TCA Education Services. As Ames shared at the meeting, “I am not charging for expenses; I am doing it as a public service. I will take no sides. I will remain impartial. I am here to help out as best I can.” Ames was in the district on Monday, January 25, and again the day of the special board meeting.
B-OPS School Board Chair Joel Penner echoed Ames’ words, “He (Ames) was ‘drafted’ by the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) and is doing this as a ‘good neighbor.'”
Board Director Kristy Haseman stated, “I am just concerned that everything (for the school) is being taken care of. And, I don’t want to short you.” She also raised the issue that the school district is currently in the middle of negotiations with certified staff.
Short-Term, Half-time Acting Superintendent Ames responded that, “Work is being done now to set up a long-term superintendent. That should only take a week or a couple of weeks.” Ames added that both of the school districts he currently serves are also in the midst of negotiations. “Perhaps negotiations here (at B-OPS) could be placed on hold until a half-time acting superintendent has been hired.”
Following this action, board members also approved for the posting of the half-time acting superintendent position until June 30, 2016, and possibly beyond. The salary and benefits package for the position will be negotiated commensurate with experience and negotiations.
Board Chair Penner noted that, as of January 28, one individual had already submitted a resume. The first interview(s) of possible candidate(s) – all open to the public – will be held at 5 p.m., Monday, February 1, in the Media Center.
