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Tellone plumbs budget to reduce school costs
By ROBERT KING BROOKSVILLE -- School Board members have questions about superintendent Wendy Tellone's plan to reorganize her staff, but no qualms with the savings she has already culled from the budget. As the district copes with an $800,000 reduction in state money, Tellone offered the board a $326,000 first installment, all of it savings she found without touching the classroom. She says more cuts are due before Christmas. But none should directly affect the classroom. The cost savings came from moving a prekindergarten program from the old Moton School to Moton Elementary, from canceling a contract with a company that failed to prove its value in reducing health insurance costs, and by leaving three jobs vacant in the district office. Tellone found another $120,000 in savings that won't affect this year's operating budget by halting improvements to the old Moton School and delaying the hiring of staff at the county's new high school. In a broader stroke, Tellone asked the board Tuesday for their blessing on a staff realignment that gives principals greater access to the superintendent, brings more accountability to the district office and saves $73,000 a year in the process. At first blush, three of five board members -- John Druzbick, Robert Wiggins and Jim Malcolm -- said they liked Tellone's restructuring plan. Board member Gail Coleman objected to a request to promote certain staffers without seeking other candidates. Sandy Nicholson, who seemed shocked by a $20,000 promotion offered to one staffer, said she needed time to review the package, which comes up for a vote on Dec. 18. Tellone's plan would eliminate two assistant superintendent positions, including her old job. She wants principals to report directly to her. And four principals -- two in elementary, one each in middle and high school -- would assist her as "lead" principals for an extra $1,250 a year. Tellone's plan would create three executive directors. Edd Poore would drop his duties as personnel director and oversee support services -- school transportation, maintenance, cafeteria workers and purchasing -- for a $5,000 raise. William Stratton would leave his higher-paying assistant superintendent job and oversee school services, including special education, student services and curriculum. Carol MacLeod, the current finance director, would take on oversight of business services -- technology, human resources and public relations, among other areas -- for no extra pay. Tellone would also promote Heather Martin, the assistant director of personnel, to a new job as director of planning and accountability. The move would bump her pay from about $30,000 to more than $50,000. -- Times staff writer Robert King covers education in Hernando County and can be reached at 754-6127. Send e-mail to rking@sptimes.com.
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