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Superintendent Walseth gets top marks in board's job evaluation BRAINERD SCHOOL BOARD Staff Writer If superintendents received a grade, Jerry Walseth would get an A+.
The Brainerd School Board Monday gave its evaluation of Superintendent Walseth's job performance. Overall, board members said they felt "very satisfied" with the direction Walseth had led the district and believe he has surrounded himself with highly capable administrators.
The board reported in the review that Walseth has always had an open door policy for everyone and is receptive to board input. He is an effective collaborator for the district and respects diverse opinions, they said.
The only comments that could be perceived as negative that Walseth received from board members were that they believe he is working too hard and it is time for him to slow down and enjoy his anticipated retirement. One board member, not identified in the performance evaluation, said Walseth has surpassed any growth and development ever expected of him but what this board member would love to see is him slowing down "just a little bit and enjoying more of his beautiful grandchildren."
In their review, board members said they would like Walseth to remain an invaluable resource when the board has to select his successor upon his retirement.
The board approved a 2-year contract extension for Walseth for 2007-2009. Despite reluctance on behalf of several board members, the board also approved a zero percent wage increase for Walseth during this time, which was at Walseth's request. Walseth said during Thursday's school board finance committee meeting that he could not morally accept a pay increase because of the financial issues that currently exist in the district. Walseth's annual wage will remain at $133,020.
The board approved the 2007-09 teacher contract with Education Minnesota Brainerd for a 4.02 percent increase over the next two years, including a 1.5 percent wage increase for 2007-08 and a 2 percent wage increase for 2008-09. The teacher settlement affects 458 full-time equivalent teachers and represents a total $1.3 million budget increase.
The board also approved the 2007-09 administrative contract with 26.5 district administrators for a 4 percent increase over the two-year term of the contract, which includes a 1.5 percent wage increase for 2007-08 and a 2 percent wage increase for 2008-09. The administrative contract includes a performance payment program which would provide a stipend of up to $1,000 a year for administrators. A-Comp, the district's performance pay system for teachers, is not allowed to be used for school administrators, who also don't receive step or lane changes in their wages. The 4 percent increase equates to a $126,302 budget increase over the two years of the contract agreement.
The board approved the 2007-08 budget with $66.57 million in general fund revenues and $68.9 million in general fund expenditures. The general fund unreserved fund balance on June 30 is estimated to be about $1.7 million or 2.5 percent of total estimated general fund expenditures.
The board approved the July 9 sale of general obligation aid anticipation certificates for $5 million to help the district with cash flow if needed during the upcoming school year. The district makes a small profit off the annual sale of the certificates by earning interest through reinvestment of the funds, said Steve Dickinson, director of business services. This is the third year the district has received aid anticipation certificates.
The board approved the July 9 sale of its existing $59.9 million school building bond in order to save money on the refunding of this bond issued in 2001. Dickinson said when the district refunds this bond, it will create a $1.5 million savings for taxpayers on the school levy that will materialize about five years from now.
The board approved the following new certified employees: Richard Berggren, BHS band teacher/director; Erin Bryson, sixth-grade teacher; Bambi Cardias-O'Hern, sixth-grade teacher; Wendy DeGeest, early childhood special education teacher; Erin Donnelly, early childhood special education teacher; Anna Dunklee, eighth-grade English teacher; Kaarin Graff, sixth-grade math teacher; Ryan Rysavy, Baxter fourth-grade teacher; Marie Waschek, sixth-grade teacher; and Jacqueline Reinke, Nisswa kindergarten teacher.
The board approved the sale of the BHS building class house to Nicole Bahma for $46,507.10.
JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.
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