Comments on: Superintendent Defers Own Bonus; Doesn’t Ask For Pay Raise

By: CSD snowflake

CSD snowflake — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:44:25 +0000

I wonder if that $75,000 includes FICA/benefits (usually around 40%), then the salary’s not as high, more like $45,000. If a facilities manager is doing a lot of citywide scheduling/advertising etc., perhaps the cost could be split with the city. Don’t disagree that facilities should be shared with community, in fact it’s a shame that they haven’t been more, especially unused, functional Westchester gym, cafeteria, and other spaces. But spending on more administrative personnel when administrative personnel costs at the central office have been rising over the years, and we’ve got staffing needs in classrooms to the point that parents are being asked to volunteer to help with math groups, worries me. I would prefer that a scheduler position be covered by existing Central Office staff or be a cheaper position as suggested by Scott.

Re software: Maybe I’m naive but isn’t $50,000 alot, especially since CSD email system, the eBoard software, and the school websites all have calendar functions? I’m sure that there’s some nifty stuff out there for $50,000 but I hope it can be justifed as more needed than something like 2 paraprofessional positions or more Active boards for classrooms, or professional training for the teachers, or classroom coverage so teachers can attend training.

These are the kinds of questions that either the incumbent or newly elected School Board members need to ask of CSD Central Office more, out in the open at Board meetings.

By: foodie

foodie — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:50:32 +0000

OK. So I posted this wondering what it meant. My take with the high salary and $50,000 for software was that the school system was intending to make money off the facilities. But if that were true, the salary shouldn’t start off so high. It should be a low base, with the rest of percent of the sales.

But, if it is for Scott’s idea – increasing access to all Decatur facilities – then I understand it more and the position makes sense. But, the high salary still doesn’t work. I would think the salary would be more comparable to a rec center “scheduler” salary.

By: Scott

Scott — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:18:54 +0000

Maybe this gets back to our discussion the other day about increased community access to and use of our school facilities. If a Facilities Manager wouldn’t just manage internal use but also serve as a liaison with neighborhood and community groups, performing arts organizations, the city, etc. to make an easy process of their scheduling, use and clean up, that would provide some pretty substantial value with an easily quantified return (for those focused on that end of value).

I hope Pete’s right and this is the direction CSD is headed in. We — including if not dominated by residents without kids — paid a lot for the DHS addition (which I toured yesterday — spectacular). It would be great to push it to its maximum potential.

By: Decatur Metro

Decatur Metro — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:05:34 +0000

Who should run the facility then?

By: CSD snowflake

CSD snowflake — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:00:44 +0000

Yikes. Since I know nothing about this, I need more information before having a knee-jerk negative reaction. But $75,000 Facility Manager position could fund 2.5 paraprofessionals to be in the classrooms. I need a whole lot of convincing information to support this. Could this maybe be a contract position? My understanding is that stimulus infusion funding is one-time only so it can’t be used for permanent positions. I’ve got problems creating a permanent Facility Manager position instead of at least two paraprofessional positions unless that position also has some direct student responsibilities. When is the next Board meeting?