Sean C. Morgan
The District 55 School Board appointed retired Curriculum Director and Principal Jan Sharp to fill an at-large seat left vacant by Billie Weber.
The board was split 3-3 on a vote between Sharp and former board Chairman Don Hopkins, a retired superintendent from among six candidates. The deadlock was broken by drawing Sharp’s name from a bucket containing hers and Hopkins’ names. The board voted 6-0 to confirm the decision.
When she retired on Jan. 31, 2010, Sharp was working as curriculum director and principal at Holley School. She served in the district for 18 years, first as principal at Crawfordsville and Holley. She later moved to Oak Heights and was also principal at Pleasant Valley Kindergarten for a year while serving at Oak Heights.
She moved to the Junior High School and then was curriculum director.
Sharp came to Sweet Home from Boardman, where she taught grades one, three and six.
Sharp said that she would like to work cooperatively with the board to represent the parents, students and patrons of the district in making decisions that help provide the best possible educational system for Sweet Home.
“As a taxpayer, retired school administrator and grandparent of current students, I have a strong interest in our schools being run as effectively and efficiently as possible,” Sharp said.
She is already familiar with the structure and programs of the School District and the duties of board members, she said, so she would be up to speed quickly for the interim appointment.
“I can exercise good judgment in the many situations where there needs to be a cost-benefit analysis because of the district’s many needs and limited resources,” Sharp said.
The term ends next summer and is open to election in the spring.
Other candidates for the position included Pamela Barbee, former board member John Fassler, Hopkins, Ann Proctor and City Councilor Jim Gourley.
“There’s one candidate that stood out a little more,” said David VanDerlip, board member. “I think that is due to the uniqueness of his qualifications. That is Don Hopkins.”
Hopkins has served as both a superintendent and a board chairman, VanDerlip said. The others “don’t have the breadth of experience Don can bring.”
Mike Reynolds, board member, said that “with Jan, you’re getting a very recent seasoned person.”
“I don’t think it’s a discussion of qualification,” said Chairman Jason Redick.
“From the fact we’re deadlocked, I think that’s kind of clear,” said Jenny Daniels, board member.
In the deadlock, Chanz Keeney, VanDerlip and Kevin Burger voted for Hopkins. Reynolds, Daniels and Dale Keene voted for Sharp.
Michael E. Adams was absent.
In other business, the board:
n Approved a 1-percent raise for Supt. Don Schrader. His salary will increase from $102,165 per year to $103,186.65.
The board voted 6-0, with VanDerlip, Burger, Reynolds, Daniels, Keene and Sharp voting yes. Keeney said he had to leave prior to the vote.
He said knew he which way the rest of the board was going to vote, so staying wouldn’t change anything.
Prior to leaving, Keeney said that “the money we have to deal with hasn’t changed.”
Keeney didn’t argue with whether Shrader deserved a raise. “We don’t have the money. I can’t look at giving anybody more money when we’re in a deficit.”
“I do think we need to get this one up,” Redick said. “I don’t think we’re competitive in the market.”
n Accepted a $900 grant to be used in support of training for statewide assessments of students with disabilities.
n Hired Gretchen Daugherty as swimming pool supervisor.
n Approved memoranda of agreement with the Sweet Home Education Association to allow the use of teachers on special assignment for administrative functions at the junior high and high school, including athletic director duties and discipline.
n Approved alternative school programs for 2012-13.
n Approved the purchase of new math textbooks for kindergarten through fifth grade for $104,295.93.
The district had budgeted $21,900 and will use $50,000 from a technology line item to cover most of the cost. The remainder will be covered by spending less on other line items or by spending contingency funds.
The curriculum is called “My Math” by McGraw-Hill.
n Accepted the resignation of Jane Bubak, district nurse. Her husband has gone to work for Central Oregon Community College as a professor.
n Hired Timothy Pinson as temporary high school resource room teacher.
n Declared a 1989 Chevrolet Corsica, a handmade tractor and a handmade trailer as surplus.