MORAN — Marmaton Valley USD 256 remains without a superintendent.
Board of Education members, meeting in a special session Wednesday, announced that they will advertise for a half-time superintendent to replace Nancy Meyer, who is resigning June 30.
Meyer’s position was the most prominent casualty in a series of cost-cutting maneuvers made by the board for the upcoming school year.
Even more drastic cuts were avoided when state legislators passed a 1-cent sales tax increase, which made further cuts in state aid unnecessary.
But while the district is in much better shape budget-wise, board members still will consider a potential tax hike in order to build a contingency reserve, Board President Patti Boyd told the Register.
“You never know what’s going to happen as the year unfolds, with things like mid-year cuts again,” Boyd said.
There’s also concern that some school districts will lose federal funding — part of last year’s stimulus bill — starting in 2011-12.
Board members met in executive session for nearly an hour at Wednesday’s meeting before announcing that they will advertise for the superintendent’s position. The vote carried 6-1, with Steve Becker abstaining.
Earlier in the meeting, audience members spoke in favor of giving the superintendent’s duties to longtime elementary school principal Ken McWhirter.
Board members also have considered having McWhirter and Jeremy Boldra, middle school and high school principal, share the superintendent’s duties.
Boyd said the school board continues to explore all options, including hiring from within.
MV still searching for superintendent
