Centre to hire K-12 administrator years ago
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
In a special meeting Nov. 18, the board of education of Centre USD #397 unanimously voted to contract with Kansas Association of School Boards to conduct a search for a district administrator.
Supt. Demitry Evancho is retiring at the end of the school year after 13 years of service.
After a lengthy discussion, the board decided to employ just one administrator to serve as principal and superintendent for the entire district beginning next school year.
At present, Neal Weltha is the 5-12 principal at the high school building and Supt. Evancho serves as K-4 principal at the Lost Springs building.
Board president Leona Hajek cited declining enrollment, financial concerns, and possible future consolidation of facilities as reasons for the decision.
The change will require the new administrator to assume more duties and responsibilities, Hajek said. At the same time, head teachers will have additional responsibilities. Teachers did not receive a pay raise this year, so they may expect one next year, Hajek said.
Because salaries, insurance premiums, and other costs are likely to increase, the amount of savings produced by the change cannot be determined at this time, Hajek concluded.
According to Clerk Peggy Falen, Dr. Bill Majors, assistant executive director of education services at KASB, will head up a three-member search committee for a district administrator. The other two members will be a sitting superintendent and a university professor.
The committee will meet with the board to determine the qualifications the district desires in an administrator.
Applications received at the district office will be submitted to the committee for screening and processing. The application deadline is Jan. 1.
