D-49 board might opt to add three administration positions

Three positions might be added to the administration of Falcon School District 49 to oversee operations and to handle personnel and contracting.

The “tweaking” of the organizational chart was discussed Wednesday at a board work session that had only one agenda item: “Discussion of Organizational Chart.” The same phrase kicked off big changes in the district a year ago, including the elimination of several top administrative positions that required contract buyouts.

In a two and a half hour discussion, board members focused on changes they said are needed to tackle problems that have arisen under the previous restructure.

“This whole thing is about leadership,” said board member Christopher Wright, adding that adjustments could help the district save money in addition to clarifying oversight.

The positions, which could be approved in concept as early as the March 8 board meeting, do not have job descriptions or defined salaries. The board directed staff to work on that, and board members said they would be involved as well.

Generally, a chief operations officer would oversee much of the business side of the district, including maintenance, transportation, information technology and nutrition. The position would be at the top executive level, equivalent to the existing positions of chief education officer and chief business officer. The district does not have a superintendent position.

The two other positions, a personnel director and someone to focus on procurement, would be lower-level administrative positions, board members said. They are needed to fill gaps in the district’s support staff, board members said.

“Are we giving guidance to everyone who needs guidance?” asked board President Tammy Harold, in discussing the gaps.

A personnel director would report to the chief education officer, while benefits and other financial pieces of human resources would remain under the chief business officer.

Any new positions would likely be part of the next fiscal year, said D-49 Chief Business Officer Brett Ridgway. The board contingency budget could be tapped for needed funds, he said.

Vice President Joan Ann Johnson, with agreement from other board members, said any proposed changes discussed at the work session should be taken to all D-49 employees so their feedback can be taken into account.

However, the altered structure that includes a chief operations officer as one of three top executives is expected to be on the agenda for the next school board meeting on March 8. Newly crafted job descriptions the personnel and procurement jobs also should be discussed at that meeting.

“We’ve had similar jobs in the past,” Harold said of the procurement position.

That person, she said, would look at a wide range of things in the district including what the threshold should be for zones to bring purchases to the board. Purchases less than $25,000 by the innovation zones do not need to be reviewed.

Johnson said the savings generated by that individual would pay for the position.

Another work session is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday. The middle and high schools in Falcon Zone will present their innovation plans. Also expected are the plans for the three elementary schools in the Sand Creek Zone.

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