Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Two Postings
Looks like there will be a posting for a new principal at Norwalk High due to the retirement of Mr. Mecca.
The second posting will be for a grants manager. This is the same administrator's position that was eliminated during budget cuts. It is NOT the director's position that Susan Marks had originally suggested. It is at a lower level, thanks to some of the BoE members.
Anyone have a favorite candidate for the high school? Other comments?
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Bob McCain would be fabulous for NHS.
ReplyDeleteI agree. McCain would be awesome. Please BOE do the right thing!
ReplyDeleteOn the Central Office front, isn't it funny that Supt. Marks was told REPEATEDLY that she should try to figure out the cheapest way to manage the grants but she never listened.
ReplyDeleteGuess it took a meeting with the Finance Committee for her to realize that she wasn't going to get her way even if she stomped her feet, and took her ball and ran home.
So now we have a grant manager who's paid all out of grants! It's about time.
Wonder what other lessons the Rookie Supt. will eventually figure out.
There are a couple of points that don't add up regarding the funding for this new position:
ReplyDelete1. if funds are being used from the leftovers from last year's grants, how will the position be funded for next year? Or doesn't anyone think ahead?
2. Only federal funds have leftover money. State funds must be used in their entirety each year. The Superintendent is using leftover funds from some of the state grants, like the Priority School Grants , to fund this position . Doesn't make sense.
Anon- darn good questions. I used to work in grants in another school district, so here's my best effort. Most grants designate a portion for administrative expenses. Priority School grants specify that you set that money aside, so it is likely you'll always have that same carryover. The state does not require that 100% of Priority School money be expended each year because of the set aide required for school choice. Maybe one of the BoE members who we know are lurking will answer for us in greater detail.
ReplyDelete1:27, it is my understanding that Title 1 can have carryover, but not Priority School funds. Title 1 has school choice after a school is failing, or something like that. I believe Title 1 is where the funds support school choice. Am I wrong?
ReplyDeleteBoard of Ed where are you?
As chairperson of the Finance Committee of the BoE, I wanted to respond to the questions about how the grants position is being funded.
ReplyDeleteThe matter had been reviewed with the Finance Committee at our meeting earlier in October by Supt. Marks, Asst. Supt. Daddona and Interim COO Ray Senes.
Each year, we must allocate a portion of grant funds for students in a Title I school who MIGHT elect school choice and would require transportation to the new school. This amount is pre-determined as a percentage of Title I students and is not tied to our historically low participation in school choice. As a result, each year, we have excess funds which are, in effect, rolled over.
The funds from the other grants are allocated for administrative costs under those grants. Consequently, they will be applied to the grants administrator.
It was anticipated that this funding mechanism, which will provide for 100% of the salary and health insurance of the administrator, can be sustained into the future.
Hope this background helps.
If any of you have any other questions, you can always email me: stevecolarossi@yahoo.com
Thank you, Steve!
ReplyDelete