CATAWISSA RR - The executive director of the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU) told the Southern Columbia Area School Board it would be difficult to share a superintendent with another district or combine two administration positions.
The board is in the beginning stages of searching for a new superintendent after accepting the resignation of current Superintendent Charlie Reh, whose last day will be Jan. 18, 2013.
The board has discussed either sharing a superintendent with another district or fold the duties of the director of curriculum, instruction and technology in with the new superintendent's duties.
Dr. Kevin Singer, who is visiting districts in the CSIU area to present a report over the last year, said sharing a superintendent with another district would not likely work out.
"He'll burn out pretty quickly," he said.
By sharing a superintendent, he said everything - meetings, problems and more - are doubled.
"Wherever you are, you'll probably be needed in the other district. Everyone wants 100 percent of your time," he said.
There was a time in his career, however, when he could feasibly see the combination of superintendent and director of curriculum and instruction working.
However, he said, "I'm blown away by the changes in PDE (Pennsylvania Department of Education). I'm not saying it would be impossible. It would be difficult. I can't remember a time when the states and feds put more requirements on curriculum and instruction."
Combining duties would compound everything, he said.
Some combos work
Singer suggested that certain services could be shared among the districts or the CSIU, such as director of food services or director of technology.
This has worked for districts in the CSIU, and there have been significant savings, he said.
"If it doesn't work out on one part or the other, the districts can end the relationship," he said.
Singer said he will provide the district with contact information for two colleagues who might be willing to assist them in their search for a new superintendent.
The board is accepting applications for the position through Oct. 31.
Other business
The board also accepted one change order and rejected three others in relation to the completed renovations and addition project.
The first change order, in the amount of $3,196.96, relates to a fence near the athletic field. The motion was made and seconded by Directors Gail Zambor Schuerch and Charlie Porter, and passed 7-1 with Director Eric Stahley voting against it.
The next three change orders passed unanimously with Stahley and Porter making and seconding the motion.
The second change order, in the amount of $5,451.10, was rejected because Architectural Studios relied on old blueprints and never verified the height of a band storage room before construction.
The third change order, in the amount of $1,079, was rejected because Architectural Studios never verified the size of an expansion joint in the floor between the high school principal's room and the high school conference room.
The fourth change order, in the amount of $1,086, was rejected because Architectural Studios designed a piece of duct work to be placed where a steel beam was needed.
Stahley, who has historically voted against change orders, said he was excited to vote yes in rejecting these three actions.