St. Joseph School District Media Release
After surveying the administrative landscape since July, the Superintendent of Schools is proposing the realignment of the senior staff in the central office.
Dr. Fred Czerwonka announced today that he is proposing to streamline the St. Joseph School District’s senior staff to better improve communication and to provide for more efficient and effective administrative services.
The Superintendent said that he would reduce the number of positions reporting directly to him to four. Those positions would be: Deputy
Superintendent, Chief Operating Officer and Co-Chief Academic Officers (consisting of two former positions, Director of Elementary Education and Director of Secondary Education). The plan has been developing over the last few weeks; no additional salary or stipends are involved.
As a result, the Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Jake Long, would now supervise human resources, the business/finance office, and the District’s continuous improvement effort. The position of Assistant to the Superintendent would be eliminated following the retirement of Steve Huff and replaced with a Communications Manager position, which would also report to the Deputy Superintendent.
The Chief Operating Officer, Rick Hartigan, would supervise technology, maintenance, nutrition services and data management.
The Chief Academic Officers, Brian Shindorf and Dr. Jaime Dial, would supervise the elementary and secondary principals, respectively. Further, they would supervise special services and student services.
“These changes would allow for more effective communications at the central office and would provide for more efficient services to the staff and the community,” said Dr. Czerwonka.
The Superintendent pointed out that the changes also reflect feedback from the senior staff, who expressed a need for improved communications.
Dr. Czerwonka said that he has charged Dr. Long with reviewing SJSD policies regarding the hiring of relatives, and to include human resources professionals from the community in that review.
“If our policies in that area need to be tightened or improved, I want us to do that,” said Dr. Czerwonka.
In addition, the Superintendent said that he acted within board policy when he implemented the stipends, however, he acknowledged that he should have brought that action to the board immediately.
“I believe I was hired to be the Superintendent and that I acted within the scope of my authority,” he said. “However, I want to state that I greatly regret not coming to the board with that information and I want the community to know that I am sorry for the turmoil of the last couple of weeks, which has diverted attention from our real business, our kids.”
Dr. Czerwonka stated that he is confident he can resolve the issues raised in recent days.
“I know that the buck stops with me. I came here with a desire to help kids and make this a premier school district,” he said. “I intend to do that.
“I am confident that I can address the issues that have been raised if given the opportunity,” he said. “Contrary to rumors that are circulating, I am here to stay.”