Official duties consolidated at Bedford schools
1/12/2010TEMPERANCE — With money not exactly pouring into Michigan schools from Lansing right now, the Bedford schools board of education has elected to consolidate administration duties to cut costs.
School board President Shawna Smith said saving money was the reason behind action taken last week in promoting Joshua Dyer to chief financial officer for the district.
Mr. Dyer, who is a certified public accountant, was the district's director of business and auxiliary services.
In his new position, he is taking on some of the duties that were handled by Superintendent Ted Magrum while he was assistant superintendent of finance and operations.
Mrs. Smith said a new employee will not be hired to replace Mr. Dyer, saving the district about $110,000 a year. She said the cost-saving move will put an experienced employee with a strong accounting and financial background into the position.
“Josh will do a great job. He has done a wonderful job as the business director for the district,” she said, adding that Mr. Magrum held the title of chief financial officer when he was hired by the district in 2001.
The board of education last week approved a three-year contract with Mr. Dyer, who has been employed with the district since 2003. His salary will jump from $62,120 to $91,000.
In October, the board of education hired Mr. Magrum to become the superintendent, succeeding Jon White, who retired in June.
Mike Smith was the only board member to vote against the contract.
Mr. Smith said he voted against the contract because he felt the administration structure that was in place was appropriate and creating the new position was unnecessary.
“My vote had nothing to do with Josh. He has done a fabulous job. There is no doubt that he is qualified,” Mr. Smith said. “I don't believe the district was in the position to hire a chief financial officer.” He added that the district could have saved more money by not promoting Mr. Dyer.
Ken Graf, assistant superintendent for human resources, said the administrative change will result in the responsibilities of three people being combined into two positions.
Mr. Dyer earned a master's degree in business from Liberty University in Virginia. He obtained his undergraduate degree in accounting from Mount Vernon Nazarine University in Mount Vernon, Ohio.
He worked for the Ohio Auditor's office before being hired by the district.