Libby school district announces cuts, callbacks

Libby School Board members on Monday approved staff cuts and rehirings for the 2013-14 school year.

The moves come in the wake of a failed mill levy vote May 7 that would have added $350,000 to district coffers.

The board’s action trims 6.5 staffers involuntarily. Another 7.67 staffers either resigned or retired voluntarily, bringing the total district cuts to 14.17 full-time employees.

Tenured teachers who are resigned or retiring include Wayne Baker, MS/HS social sciences; HenriEtte Brumbaugh, LES music; Kyle Crawford, LES teacher; Kathleen Powers, MS social sciences; Diane Rewerts, LES teacher; and Craig Rowan, MS/HS social Sciences. Baker will still work for the district for one-third time. All of the tenured teacher reductions are staffers who elected not to return. 

Non-tenured teacher cuts — those involuntary cuts — include Rae Baerlocher, LES, and Katie Nelson, MS communication arts.

Corrine Wright was the only casualty from the custodial staff.

Four paraprofessionals also were among the staff cuts, and they include Sue Dotson, Rita Lampton, Patty Vierick and Amanda Rasmussen. And, Maki suggested if the budget improves, some of the paraprofessionals could be recalled. The cuts and budget figures are yet to reflect recent legislation that will provide additional revenue and financial flexibility to school districts statewide.

Secretary Carol Oedewaldt was cut to half-time.

Jael Prezeau, who left the district on June 30 last year to take a position with the Office of Public Instruction in Helena, also was cut. Superintendent K.W. Maki said Prezeau’s position and salary were kept in the 2012-13 budget.

“We kept Jael’s position primarily for contract work, just in case we needed her,” Maki said. “I really don’t think she did anything for us after the second week in July.”

Maki said except for the retirements and resignations of tenured teachers, it is possible other staffers could be called back.

The board also approved the rehiring of the following staffers: Erin Bothman, elementary; Mindi Burford, MS/HS; Brenna Chvilicek, MS/HS; Christine Conver, elementary; Bruce Fuller, MS/HS; Mary Gier, elementary; Lisa Goodman, elementary, Samantha Hannah, elementary; Keith Ivers, MS/HS; John Love, MS/HS; April Rewerts, GearUP liaison; Lea Spencer and Joan Stern, elementary.

Maki left the window open that other district staff could be called back, indicating final budget numbers will not be known for a couple of months.

“We don’t have to have a final budget until August,” Maki said. 

With the election of Les Nelson and John Carlson to the board, there were revisions to committees. Melissa LaGoy, Nelson and Bruce Sickler will make up the Buildings and Grounds Committee.

Lori Benson, Ellen Johnston and Sickler will serve on the Policy Review panel while Amy Fantozzi, LaGoy and Nelson will make decisions on the Technology Committee.

Benson and Fantozzi will make decisions on the Wellness and Safety Committee.

Carlson and Nelson will make up the Budget and Finance Committee while Benson and Fantozzi will team up again to work with staff to decide the school Calendar Committee. 

New board President Johnston will team with Fantozzi on the Curriculum Committee while she will work alone on the seldom-summoned Insurance Committee. 

When it comes to negotiations, Benson, Johnston and Sickler will work with the unions on the Negotiations Committee, and Carlson will team up again with Nelson on the Transportation Committee.