The school district will combine two upper level management
positions to slash an additional $175,000 from its budget.
The school district will combine two upper level management positions to slash an additional $175,000 from its budget.
Backed by the school board’s unanimous approval, the district will eliminate two positions – director of student assessment and data management and information technology manager – effective July 1. The positions are currently occupied by Jim Pisano and Rob van Herk, respectively. Their positions will be combined into one position, program administrator of specialized programs, student assessment and data management, Superintendent Deborah Flores said.
The district has already cut $375,000 at the district office by eliminating two additional positions – principal on special assignment and El Portal transition coordinator – by leaving vacant a safety coordinator position, and by reclassifying the deputy superintendent of business services position to an assistant superintendent position, Flores said.
Over the past two months, trustees have met during various study sessions to identify about $7 million to cut from the school district’s budget due to the budget shortfall the state has passed onto cities, schools and other public entities.
At a recent board meeting, trustee Denise Apuzzo requested that Flores identify an additional $125,000 in cuts at the district office, bringing the total amount of cuts at the district office to $500,000.
Combining van Herk and Pisano’s positions into one will actually save the district $175,000, Flores said. The district plans to advertise the new position immediately.
“Anyone could apply,” she said.
If either van Herk or Pisano wanted the job, they would have to apply, she said.
The district office has cut similar amounts from its budget during the last two years as well, Flores said.
“We understand that the district office needs to do their share,” she said. “We’ve done our best to increase the cuts to the $500,000 mark. But it’s starting to feel like half the desks here are empty. It’s starting to feel like everybody is wearing two, if not three, hats. The good news is that we have a great team. Everyone is working as hard as they can trying to do the same amount of work.”
