11 Rossford school officials make concessions

Administrators praised for cooperation

8/7/2012

Administrators in the Rossford school district have volunteered to freeze their wages, pay more of the cost of their medical insurance, and forfeit a personal day for savings to the district of $150,000 in 2012-13.

The 11 administrators include the district's five principals; the others are supervisors in such areas as the cafeteria and transportation.

A large part of the savings will be realized by the retirement of Holly Schmidbauer, who is to step down as principal of Indian Hills Elementary School and be rehired at a lower salary, district treasurer James Rossler said.

The administrators also are disclaiming incentive bonuses to which they are entitled. The administrative salaries range from $41,220 for the cafeteria supervisor to $112,475 for the junior high school principal. The more highly paid administrators have significant experience.

Ms. Schmidbauer was paid $108,804 last year. When she is rehired after retiring and starting to collect a pension, that pay is to fall to $78,925, or $385 a day for 205 days.

Mr. Rossler also is part of the process. His contribution to his health and dental insurance will go from 10 to 15 percent.

Additionally, he volunteered to forgo 3 percent raises for this school year and next.

The administrators received praise at the district's board of education meeting last week when the employment contracts were amended to reflect the givebacks. "The administrators didn't have to do that," Dawn Burks, board president, said.

Board member Doug Miller commended the administrators for their "spirit of cooperation."

In other business, certain board members had a contentious discussion about when and how to begin the search for a superintendent to replace Bill McFarland, who has the post on an interim basis.

Board member Beverly Koch said the district should begin advertising locally and in professional publications instead of hiring a search firm. If no acceptable candidates apply, then a headhunter could be hired. She was supported by Jackie Brown.

Ms. Burks rejected this suggestion, saying it was too early. In the end, no action was taken.

The board also approved spending up to $20,000 to hire Leadership Ideas, a consultant, to help the district evaluate what it needs in new facilities.

-- Carl Ryan