Posted: 6/20/07
Saying goodbye
 North Branch School Board chairperson Kim Salo presented superintendent Rodney Reisnouer, who will retire on June 30, with a red and white handkerchief as a going away present. She teased that it was for when Reisnouer found himself sitting around after retirement, and it hit him how much he missed the board. |
By Patrick Tepoorten
It was without fanfare that the North Branch Area School Board said goodbye to superintendent Rodney Reisnouer on Thursday, June 14. Reisnouer had served in that capacity since the retirement of Dr. Robert Stepaniak, June 30, 2005, and he will make way for new superintendent Deb Henton, who starts July 1.
Technically, Reisnouer served as "interim" superintendent, and board chairperson Kim Salo noted that the district was fortunate to have such a person serve as the bridge between superintendents. "I couldn't have thought of a better interim superintendent," she said, and added, "you took us through some tough times in this district and I enjoyed sitting next to you."
Reisnouer kept his remarks short, but did state that it had "been a pleasure" to serve the district.
In other district news:
• The 2007 - 2008 budget, which has been the center of much debate, and subject to $2.5 million in cuts, was officially approved. District Finance Director Randi Johnson also warned the board that more cuts were on the horizon for 2008 - 2009, when the district will face an estimated $1.5 million shortfall. "It looks daunting," she said, "but it's still early."
The board does not have to take up the issue until the Spring of 2008, and Johnson suggested that things could change between now and then.
Although the implications of recent state legislation increasing funding for public education are yet to be fully understood, Johnson characterized the session as having "some silver lining, but was disappointing compared to hopes."
• Director of Teaching and Learning Jan Ashlin gave a brief update on the district's study of Q Comp, a five component program enacted by the state legislature in 2005. Q Comp is a teacher accountability system that includes assessments, performance pay, and career ladders for successful teachers.
A task force comprised of 12 teachers within the district has been studying the possible implementation of Q Comp in North Branch for the past year, and Ashlin noted briefly that the program aligns nicely with the district's mission and goals.
A full presentation of the task force's findings will be made to the board at the July 12 meeting.
• Housecleaning issues were approved, including requests for bids for garbage services and fuel, as were aid anticipation certificates of indebtedness for next fiscal year. The bonds are designed to keep districts afloat in anticipation of promised state funding.
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