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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Since We Asked Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend August 21, 2006 Central Point schools face administrative overhauls By Paris Achen Mail Tribune An administrative shake-up in the Central Point School District spawned by an outside consultant's evaluation will mean new principals this fall at Scenic Middle School, Hanby Middle School and Jewett Elementary School. Completed in June, the evaluation by school finance consultants Mike Schofield and Bill Dierdorff found weaknesses in the school district's systems for checking and balancing financial documents, equitably distributing support staff among campuses and ensuring proper licensing, district officials said. The consultants' recommendations prompted district officials to restore positions for a human resources director and an accountant and eliminate the alternative education director and school improvement coordinator. "The real key for us is to try to free our principals to be educational leaders and not administrative managers," said Superintendent Randy Gravon. "When our administrators spend a good deal of time on administration and paperwork they are not able to do the educational leadership, which is their primary responsibility." The changes will cost the district no additional money but will mean cutting the number of family advocates who help at-risk students and families to social services from four to three, district officials said. Advertisement The district promoted Scenic Principal Bob Bowers, who has been with the district for 28 years, to the post of human resources director over personnel, grounds and facilities, transportation and food services. The district has not had a personnel director since Gravon became superintendent in fall 2005. Without a human resources director, "we found that we didn't have consistent follow-through to make sure teachers were properly licensed," Gravon said. "With No Child Left Behind, licensing is very important." No Child Left Behind, the Bush administration's landmark education law, requires teachers to be certified or pass a test in all the subjects they teach. Replacing Bowers as principal of Scenic is Sheila Henson, three-year principal and a 14-year employee at Hanby. "I think change is good," Henson said. "It brings new perspectives to schools. "Personally, it was hard to leave a building I had been at for so long, but I'm excited to be at Scenic." Seven-year Jewett Principal Dennis Allen will fill Henson's place at Hanby, while Chris Reed, the five-year alternative education director, will serve as principal at Jewett. Margaret Dials, the former school improvement coordinator who has been with the district for about 30 years, will take a teaching position at Jewett. Holly Haviland, business manager for the Rogue River School District, will serve as the Central Point district's new accountant. Vicki Robinson, business manager for the Central Point district, had been the only staff member regularly checking district expenditures. "This will allow us to be more efficient in budgeting and planning for the future," Gravon said. "The big concern is the liability to the employees when you don't have checks and balances." The elimination of the alternative education director and school improvement coordinator will mean more duties for school principals and the end of some grants Reed had been managing for alternative education, including some family nights meant to help connect families with services and get them involved in their children's education. Reach reporter Paris Achen by calling 541-776-4459 or [email protected] . Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems California Casinos Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews