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VIENNA -- Following discussion at a nearly two-hour meeting Wednesday, Mathews Board of Education approved adding duties of a new sixth to 12th grade "dean of students" post to teacher Michael Palumbo.
In April the board had approved creating a full-time dean of students position to assist the high school principal, but had not filled the post.
Officials Wednesday said the position will fall under the teacher's union with Palumbo to be paid $392 per day for 183 days plus 10 additional days for the 2023-24 school year.
High School Principal George Garrett said Palumbo, who also will teach health classes as needed, will handle discipline and attendance issues of students in grades six to 12 and other daily administrative duties like annual evaluation of 27 staff at the building, curriculum development and scheduling, and revamping of the building such as the new library.
He said he will conduct two evaluations and preconferences with each of 27 staff members per school year.
Garrett said Palumbo also will continue his athletic director duties and will handle health classes at the high school.
Superintendent Russell McQuaide said Palumbo taught health to ninth-grade students this past school year, but health class now will be offered instead to 10th graders starting in the 2024-25 year.
"We are repurposing some of his duties this year. He will handle the dean of students responsibilities and also the athletic director duties," McQuaide said.
Officials said because the dean of students falls under the teachers' union, Palumbo still will teach classes in addition to administrative duties.
McQuaide said the district decided to create a dean of students position rather than an assistant high school principal position, which would be an administrative contract.
Garrett said because he is high school principal under administrative contract he is not permitted to teach classes.
Board member Ken Wallace asked Garrett how much of his day deals with discipline issues.
Garrett said about 80 percent of the time is dealing with discipline for grades sixth to 12. The district also has a social worker and school psychologist who cover all three buildings.
McQuaide said Liberty schools also has a dean of students and they will meet with Liberty officials on how that position had worked in that district.
The district total enrollment is 650 students.
Additionally, the board on Wednesday approved elimination of food services director / supervisor position, effective June 28. Instead the district will use the Nutrition Group Inc. for cafeteria services at the three district buildings.
McQuaide said the district plans to revamp the lunch menu and have "better management of the food service."
The district will pay $4,500 per month for the Nutrition Group's services, said Treasurer Brad Panak.
Previously the district had approved paying food services director three hours per day for 192 days per year at $18 per hour first year, $18.25 the second year, and $18.50 per hour the third year to handle the duties. The individual had also worked as head cafeteria cook.
LEVY RENEWAL
In other business, the board approved asking voters to renew a five-year 9.25 mill district operating expense levy.
Panak said the levy generates $1.4 million annually and costs owners of $100,000 homes around $245 per year.
Panak said the levy originally passed in 2009 and has been renewed each five years since.
"It would be devastating to the district to not have this levy," he said.
He said monies generated are placed in the district's general fund and used where needed for operations and day-to-day expenses and needs.
Officials said with the renewal there will be no increase in taxes.