By Alex Malm
During the Tuesday, Sept. 20, School Board meeting, members were asked to hire the recently retired Business Administrator, Peter Curro, as a consultant for the school district.
The proposed contract would be a way to get advice on different areas that Curro was responsible for while employed by the district. It was specifically explained in an outline to the School Board that Curro would consult directly with the current Business Administrator, Lisa McKenney, and Interim Superintendent, Dan Black.
The contract would be for $90 an hour and the district would pay each month for billable hours.
Black said during the meeting that he brought the idea forward during a non public session during the spring.
“The reasons for that have not changed,” said Black.
One of the reasons Black pointed to is that they have numerous administrators doing two jobs. He also noted they have multiple administrators who have recently started with the school district including a food services director who is in their first year and a buildings and grounds director in their second year.
Black stated they wanted to be able to “tab” into the institutional knowledge of Curro.
“A consultant contract is a pretty standard thing for us,” said Black.
Black pointed out that they are currently without an assistant superintendent, which can help pay for the consultant fees.
School Board member, Bob Slater, said originally the proposal was for him to be an actual employee.
“The Board decided that we would prefer to have Peter as a consultant not working for the district,” said Slater.
“This is a 85 million dollar business, to ask one person to handle all the finances is a little much,” said Slater.
Slater also pointed out that they were at somewhat of a disadvantage because Curro ultimately ran all the departments.
McKenney said they didn’t have so many positions changing in the same year they probably wouldn’t need any outside help.
“We have so many new people in the positions,” said McKenney.
Slater explained he wants the services to be used more as a last resort and they can also rely on the institutional knowledge within the school district and from people in similar school districts.
Slater said he didn’t want to see a significant amount of hours being used each month.
“I don’t want to see 30, 40, 50 hours a month,” said Slater.
Slater noted that 5 to 10 hours a month would be more appropriate.
The School Board unanimously approved the contract.