Fosters: Board to give next interim director of instruction a 2-year deal

More coverage of the Oyster River Cooperative School District today in Fosters. Roni Reino reports:

Board to give next interim director of instruction a 2-year deal

By RONI REINO
rreino@fosters.com
Tuesday, June 28, 2011

DURHAM — School Board members voted to approve a two-year contract for an interim director of instruction to fill the open position at Monday's meeting.

"I think the person coming in needs a multiple year contract and can feel like they can grow in the job," said Superintendent Howard Colter.

At the meeting, member Krista Butts made a motion to offer a two-year contract.

"If we do not fill Meredith's position, we will have a huge hole," she said.

Director of Instruction Meredith Nadeau is expected to finish her year with the district this week and take on a superintendent position in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

As discussion continued, board member Jim Kach said he felt with the rising special education budget and demand, the district should consider hiring an individual to become the director of special education.

However, Kach said he could not support the multiyear contract motion because he did not feel it was fair to give one to an administrator when teachers are not offered the same promise.

"I don't know that this is where we want to go with administrators," he said.

Member Ann Lane said she was worried about giving a two-year contract and it seemed they might be "putting their eggs in one basket" by guaranteeing someone a multiyear contract.

However, Butts stood by her motion, saying by contracting a person for more than one year, it would allow them to better understand the district.

"That gives this person a year to examine where we are and what our staffing levels look like," Butts said.

The motion was passed 4-2. Henry Brackett, Jocelyn O'Quinn, Krista Butts and Ann Wright in favor and Jim Kach and Ann Lane against.

Member Megan Turnbull was not present for the meeting.