Superintendent wants to reorganize before handing reins
By DRUW GIAMALVA, Editor
The Marshall County Board of Education failed — by a 2-2 vote of board members present — to approve an organizational chart recommended by Superintendent Cindy Wigley during the board’s Oct. 1 meeting.
When Wigley recommended the action, a motion was offered to approve it, and it received a second. But then board member Laura Byars said she had some questions about at least one of the positions on the chart.
Board President Mark Rains suggested the measure be tabled, but because a motion had been presented the board had to vote. Rains and Byars voted against the measure while board members Terry Kennamer and Tony Simmons voted in favor of it. In the absence of board member Bill Hancock, the vote was a tie and the motion failed.
The same vote pattern occurred when the board considered contract service agreements under personnel actions. Rains and Byars questioned two positions on the undisclosed list and voted against approving it. Simmons and Kennamer voted yes, and the measure failed.
Clay Webber, who defeated Wigley in the Republican primary and is slated to take over the superintendent’s office in January, issued a statement Monday: “On October 1st, 2006, the Marshall County Board of voted on a superintendent recommendation to give pay raises and unprecedented multi-year extended contracts to central officer supervisors. With one board member absent, the vote was 2-2 and the recommendation failed.
“The MCBOE also voted on a new organizational chart, revising the hierarchy of authority within the central office that would potentially lock supervisor positions into that structure … that recommendation also failed with a 2-2 vote.
‘These recommendations are an organized effort to subvert the will of Marshall County voters who overwhelmingly voted for change in our school system. I am deeply concerned that extending contracts and locking in a new central office organizational structure less than 90 days before a new administration takes office could significantly limit its ability to implement that change. This is NOT what is best for Marshall County students, teachers, or schools.
“As of this moment, one week has passed, and the detailed agenda and board minutes from Oct. 1st have NOT been released to the public. The next board meeting is scheduled for October 29th, and these superintendent recommendations are expected to come back before the BOE then, if not before. I as asking ALL concerned citizens to contact your board members, ask questions, and show up on October 29th. Be respectful, but be heard. The people of Marshall County spoke clearly on June 16th. You voted for change, and your vote should mean something.
“Thank you for your support, and may God bless Marshall County Schools,” Webber said in the statement.
Wigley responded saying she wanted to clarify the purpose and timing of administrative compensation adjustments.
“October 1 marked the beginning of the district’s fiscal year, including the implementation of approved salary schedules, budgets, and employment contracts. The timing of these adjustments reflects the district’s established fiscal processes, not the political calendar,” she said in a statement.
“Following the state’s implementation of additional stipends for principals, it is necessary to align our salary schedule. With this state stipend now in place, principals make more than supervisors,” she said, adding that the district faced challenges recruiting quality administrators because of compensation disparities, and salaries needed to be aligned
“While Dr. Webber’s release presents these actions in a political context, the district’s responsibility remains unchanged. A Superintendent must continue leading, making personnel recommendations, and preparing the district for each new fiscal year, regardless of political circumstances.
“These decisions should be evaluated on their administrative and financial merits rather than their timing in relation to an election.”
Webber defeated Wigley in the June 16 GOP runoff, getting 66% of the more than 6,000 votes cast.
Brandon Evans defeated Hancock’s reelection bid and faces Democrat Jeffrey Watson in the Nov. 3 general election.
