School Board Members Oppose Administrative Staffing Changes

Principal Bryan McKenzie will become the district’s instructional supervisor next year, and Jeff Breit, associate principal, will take McKenzie’s place at Greentown.

The North Canton City Schools Board of Education approved the changes in administrative staffing at Wednesday night’s board of education meeting, but not without some contention from board members. (The changes passed with a vote of 3-2).

The instructional supervisor position has existed for the last four years but has remained unfilled while others have performed those duties, District Superintendent Michael Gallina said.

“As we’ve looked at this particular ‘resurrection,’ if you will, of that particular role in the district, that has come about because of our need for data assessment and instructional help to our staff,” Gallina said.

The district’s instructional supervisor looks at data surrounding student testing and assessments district-wide and helps craft instruction for teachers to better serve their students, he said. The Akron Beacon Journal reported this month that the changes are in response to an anticipated state requirement that all students show demonstrable growth, which is tracked by computer data.

The newspaper also reported that the district had already made those staffing changes. Meanwhile, the board hadn't been presented with the proposed changes yet.

The premature media report and the resurrection of a position that’s been vacant for years didn’t sit well with board member Chris Thomas.

“Are you telling me you can resurrect any position that’s out there, that’s ever been created, and put somebody in it?” Thomas asked.

Gallina said the position never was eliminated and still is “on the books.” They're able to fill the role of instructional supervisor at no additional cost because the district is moving employees around to fill positions.

Thomas said that particular agenda item seemed as if it was approved before it even appeared before the board. And that’s not the first time that’s happened. A couple board members said they also have read about the approval of agenda items in the media, heard about the approvals at a meeting or from a community member before the items actually are approved.

Board member Jennifer Kling said she agreed with Thomas because board members were asked to keep the administrative changes confidential; meanwhile, a district administrator had introduced Breit as Greentown’s new principal at a staff meeting, she said.

Kling and Thomas voted no on the administrative changes.

"I'll clarify — it's not against any of the gentlemen who will be moving into those positions, but rather the fact that one of the positions doesn't exist as I understand the board policies," Thomas said.

"And mine is the simple fact that I don't see the need to create an $87,000-a-year position," Kling said. "And we need a plan B. If this had not gone through, what would our plan B have been? ... We're not going to be able to pay for everything every single time."

Thomas also asked that Gallina and the board review the policy on who can speak to the media about information that hasn't yet been approved by the board.

Other news from Wednesday night's board meeting:

Check back with North Canton Patch later today for more meeting coverage.