March 29, 2024

Nine involuntary transfers slated for NCSD

Callaghan says Sharp will excel as middle school principal

At its May 18 meeting, the Newton Community School District board heard and saw a presentation from its superintendent, Bob Callaghan, who is charged with assigning personnel for upcoming school years.

While superintendents often rely on input from supervisors or others for feedback about some faculty and/or staffing arrangements, the superintendent, in most American school systems, typically is given a great deal of freedom to make staffing decisions that meet the financial, legal and student needs, among others.

Tom Bartello, who was school administration manager at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, was chosen from a field of about 40 candidates to become the principal there. Lisa Sharp will leave her Thomas Jefferson principal position, accepting a re-assignment as principal at Berg Middle School.

Callaghan explained the staffing situation at the SAM and principal levels, especially as it pertains to Thomas Jefferson. He seemed to be comparing it to a baseball league with tons of talent, trying to find a place to play everyone.

“All of our employees are valuable,” Callaghan said. “I know Ms. Sharp is loved at Thomas Jefferson. She’s an exceptional leader, and that’s what we can do to enhance our middle-school program. People say ‘Look at Mr. Bauer — he was the finalist every place he interviewed.’ We have exceptional leaders. Out of about 40 applicants for the (Thomas Jefferson) principal job — which included principals and ex-superintendents who applied — our own internal candidates rose to the top.”

Middle School Principal Scott Bauer resigned to take a job outside the district. Aurora Heights Elementary School Principal Carol Farver is retiring; Jim Gilbert will add the Aurora Heights principal’s duties to his existing title of Director of K-8 Services for the district.

These include the SAM vacancy created by Bartello’s promotion to principal; one Thomas Jefferson first-grade teaching position, the high school science position, a sixth-grade teaching slot and Berg Middle School special education and math positions. There are three NCSD classified positions that won’t be filled.

At the May 18 meeting, Callaghan outlined the categories of funding available for salaries.

“Our financial position has been supplemented, since 2009, with a large amount of federal funding,” Callaghan said. “No one can foretell the future, but we were supposed to receive a funding stream, and we still do not have one for the fiscal year that begins July 1, so we are preparing for zero state aid beyond what we received last year, per the state law.”

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com