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Ashland to fill vacant school post By TONY BOOM ASHLAND � After a year without a leader in its curriculum and instruction post, Ashland School District will fill the spot on the recommendation of consultants. Superintendent Juli Di Chiro assumed curriculum duties for this year, but the school board authorized hiring a director of educational services at its March 12 meeting. The position has been vacant since Karen Dalrymple resigned as director of curriculum and development in June 2000. "I never thought we could do without (filling the position)," said Di Chiro. "It was just a chance to get on the inside and get a better look." The district�s central office needs additional administrative assistance, according to an audit by the Confederation of Oregon School Administrators School Services Bureau. The audit recommended filling the curriculum post and a special education coordinator spot now staffed on a contract basis. "Those two areas (curriculum and special education) have become so complicated, and they continue to become more complicated," said school board member Dan Thorndike. "We knew we�d have to do something about both of those needs." Former school superintendent Vance Littleton has worked under contract for the district on special education and personnel issues. He announced last year that he would return to retirement when his one-year contract expires in June. The district will then fill the position with a permanent staff member, Di Chiro said. "Due to the complex nature of special education, we need an expert who can help us in providing appropriate support and following all legal issues," Di Chiro said. "We need someone very up on things. We�d rather spend money on the kids, not in the courts," she added, alluding to the possibility that lawsuits might result if the district were not in compliance with federal special-education laws. The audit also recommended hiring a human resource manager to assist the superintendent. The district is unable to fund the latter position. The new director of educational services will be charged with improving coordination of curriculum among the district�s five elementary schools, said Di Chiro. The COSA audit noted that at the time the team visited, there was no mechanism to connect elementary curriculum to middle school offerings. The district now has a program to address those concerns. "We need a more common outcome from the five elementary schools," said Di Chiro. Getting the district into compliance with state instructional materials standards will also be part of the new director�s position. A 2000-2001 state assurance report found the district out of compliance with Oregon regulations on textbooks. Books must be less than seven years old or the district must seek a waiver to use them. An elementary principal and a high school assistant principal also are needed. Bellview Principal Erik Jorgensen and Ashland High Assistant Principal Jerry Hauck will retire at the end of the school year. The new hires come at a time when the district faces a reduction in state support due to declining enrollment. Under Gov. John Kitzhaber�s proposed budget, the district would receive $18,997,401 next year, down from this year�s $19,028,080. District officials hope to cover the shortfall through attrition in teaching, special education and assistant positions. Salary ranges for the positions are: educational services director, $82,416 to 87,816; special education coordinator, $68,483 to $73,208; Bellview principal, $68,731 to $72,984; and high school assistant principal, $67,445 to $72,170. Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.