This week the Plymouth School Board approved the transfer of Brooke Busse from the corporation’s eLearning Coach to the Interim Director of Quality Programs. The position had been left vacant as of January 1st due to the resignation of Michele Riise who accepted a position as Superintendent of Argos Schools.
At their January meeting, the Board had approved the transfer of Andy Hartley from Principal at Washington Discovery Academy to Temporary Assistant Superintendent replacing Dan Funston who left the school district to accept a position in the private sector.
PEA (Plymouth Education Association) President, Laura Kryer asked for clarification of the board’s policy on listing vacant positions. Kryer said, “I have seen postings as permanent and temporary before, but not for interims.”
Jeff Houin, school attorney, explained that the difference between permanent and temporary is that temporary has an expected end date. Houin said that someone in an interim position is just performing the duties of the position until it can be filled through the proper procedure. He called the interim position a “place holder”.
Superintendent Daniel Tyree said, “This will help us make it through until we get people hired.” He said he recommended the transfer of Busse in order not to take a teacher out of a classroom or a principal from a school building.
Kryer asked if the duties that had been under the Director of Quality Programs and given back to principals would be performed by the Interim Director. Tyree indicated that approximately 95 percent would be taken over again by the Interim Director.
Responding to questions about salary and benefits for Busse, Tyree indicated that he calculated the salary of a pro-rated $65,000 was based on Busse not having an administration degree. He said he took the lowest pay rate of paid administrators. Busse will retain the same benefits as those of teachers.
Carol Anders Correspondent
