Three people waiting for news about the future of their careers with the Camp Verde Unified School District got their answers last week.
A week after the school board voted to table discussion on three potential administrative decisions, one employee didn’t get a promotion, another got to keep his job and a third found himself with a job, but at a reduced pay rate.
Teacher Lisa Mina had thrown her hat in the ring to become part-time technology director for the district.
The board voted 3-1 against promoting Mina, with board member Andrea Wrubel casting the lone vote in support of the measure.
Board member Helen Freeman said that while Mina was talented, she felt Mina might serve the district better in the classroom; she felt Mina might not be qualified to take on the school’s technology needs, something that could require a full-time professional.
The board decided to hire an employee who could fill that role and meet the needs of the district.
Stephen Rice, the district’s director for federal programs, including No Child Left Behind, will keep his job at his current pay rate even though he volunteered to take a pay cut to continue his work.
His job had been put on the chopping block to save money for the district; Rice reminded the board that his salary is paid by the federal government and has no impact on the school’s budget. Roth introduced the motion to eliminate Rice’s job with the support of board member Rick Anderson. Freeman and Wrubel voted against the proposal.
Superintendent Jeff Van Handel said that the tie vote means Rice’s contract will be renewed at his current salary.
Finally, Facilities Director Marc Johnson remained an employee of the district, though he is no longer an administrator.
Most of Johnson’s responsibilities were combined earlier this month with the transportation department; he keeps a job at a reduced pay grade. The vote was 2-1, and Wrubel abstained because she felt the issue wasn’t properly outlined on the official meeting agenda.
Roth said the board will have to continue to make tough decisions setting policy, employment-related or otherwise, for the district.
