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Waldorf initiates staff restructuring School aims for greater efficiency By DANI DODGE ASHLAND -- As part of a yearlong restructuring, the Waldorf School of the Rogue Valley is letting go its three-person administrative staff and creating a new position of executive director. "We've decided we need to do a complete restructuring -- closing down existing jobs and redefining new ones," said Susan Freniere, a board member. "This has nothing to do with competence. We have very competent people." The new executive director will be in charge of running the school day-to-day and communicating the school's vision to the community. "We need someone that understands the philosophy of the school and has good management skills." Also, two teachers will not have their contracts renewed in the next year; one because of a lack of older students at the school, and one because of different needs in the kindergarten classroom, Freniere said. The Waldorf educational philosophy blends arts and academics in a system tailored to individual students that seeks to instill a lifelong love of learning. Changes at the 20-year-old institution began at the beginning of the year when the 130-student private school suffered a budget shortfall of more than $200,000. Through fund-raising, volunteers reduced the shortfall to $8,000, but board members realized the school needed to strengthen its financial outlook. "We needed to do a complete and thorough review of what is going on and figure out how could we get to this sorry financial state," Freniere said. During the year, a master Waldorf teacher evaluated the teaching and found it to be excellent, Freniere said. Improvements were made in communications as well as to the old farmhouse on East Main Street that houses the school. The administrative changes came last. Still, the resulting dismissals of a bookkeeper, enrollment coordinator and business manager came as something of a shock to the employees, who were informed of the decision Thursday, the last day of school. Their contracts continue through June 30. Yet, enrollment coordinator Julia Pinsky remains supportive of the school. "Waldorf is an independent school and it's not the most secure place, but you enjoy working there because you believe in it and like the people and think it's important work," she said. "It's just like any small business." Freniere said the three staff members will be allowed to apply for new positions at the school, but Pinsky said she will probably pursue other work. John Cunningham, a teacher and a board member, said having an executive director will help make future changes more efficient. A parent of two children at the school, Carol Ingram, said she has been impressed with the changes. "It has been confusing, who to go to if you have a problem," she said. "It's good they are addressing this." Freniere said the bottom line is, the changes will ensure a firm financial footing for the school. "What goes on in the classrooms is fabulous," she said. "But we have to keep the teachers fed and paid for." Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA