Board chairman handles many of superintendent's duties

Even though the superintendent's position at the Orcas Island school has been sitting vacant since March 15, basic day-to-day issues aren't being ignored.

They're being addressed by school board Chairman Bruce Orchid, who is working at the school two to three days a week, even though he is not getting a dime for his efforts.

"I'm there to sign what superintendents sign," he told about 25 people at a school board meeting March 23. He is also dealing with issues regarding the construction projects to be carried out, beginning this summer, with bond funds approved by local voters last fall. Orchid is also meeting regularly with Principals Barbara Kline and Coleen O'Brien, and with representatives of the Mount Vernon-Based Educational Service District, the state agency which provides administrative support to the area's public schools.

Orchid quite likely will be providing this service free of charge for the next few months. The interim superintendent position probably won't be filled until summer, after schools have shut down and most of those who are interested in the job are able to pursue other employment. But if a qualified person is available right away, "and we liked that person," Orchid said, he or she could be on the job immediately.

Regardless of when the position is filled, it will be an interim job, not a permanent one, and it will stay that way until the school district completes a study of administrative structures to see if there is one that could serve Orcas more effectively, and at a lower cost. Only after the study is complete, and the permanent staffing arrangement is determined, will the board look for people to fill those roles.

Acker was paid $100,000 a year. He received $75,000 for being superintendent, and $25,000 as director of special education. Because the interim superintendent would be working part-time, the salary is being advertised at $50,000. As for the special education piece, some of the duties carried out by Acker are now being handled by teacher Bonnie Dahl, at $500 per month.

The current arrangement could save the district some money, but the school still owes Acker money for unused vacation time. The amount had yet to be authorized by the school board at press deadline.

The school is also now advertising for an interim business manager (to replace Betty Kaiser, who will be retiring at the end of June), and a person to handle accounts receivable.

IN OTHER SCHOOL BOARD NEWS:

-- Claiming that "some people get more pie than others, (and that classified staff get considerably less)" Orcas Elementary School Office Manager Hilary Canty once again urged the school board to improve the pay of school secretaries, teachers' aides, custodial employees, bus drivers and kitchen help. "We, as classified staff, deserve to be treated equally," she said. Canty also contended that classified staff at "like-size districts" make more than their counterparts on Orcas Island. "When you add in that the cost of living here is a lot higher, it makes things really tough," she said.

-- Orcas Island contractors Rolf Eriksen and Roger Browne have been selected to oversee the projects that will be paid for by the school bond.

-- Elementary music and English as a Second Language teacher Lynn Schiager has resigned effective the end of the school year. Special education teacher Peggy Davis will be taking a leave of absence for the 2005-06 academic year.

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