From the Desk of the Superintendent
Superindendent J. Brian Sarvis, Ed.D.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Deputy Superintendent Position
The board of education approved a position for deputy superintendent Tuesday night based on plans to restructure district office administration.
Our three-month search for an assistant superintendent for business services—as our chief business officer (CBO)—was unsuccessful and was concluded last week. Just as we were forewarned by independent school finance organizations that we were not offering enough money to attract the talent we need and that the number of qualified applicants was very limited, we were again advised by the same organizations after the search that we should expect to pay significantly more money and that the pool is still very limited. The cost of an upgraded comparable salary, plus the cost of a search service for an assistant superintendent, could easily add up to some $180,000 or more to fill the position. In addition, another search would take another three months with no assurance of finding a qualified person. Our districts need a competent CBO.
Each of the organizations—Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team, School Services of California, and the Santa Barbara County Education Office—is also very familiar with the work of our interim CBO and has advised us that we should do anything within our power to attract him to a permanent position as his reputation in his role as deputy superintendent in other districts is stellar. We have witnessed his abilities firsthand since November 2007, when he accepted the assignment of interim CBO. His work in overseeing the districts’ $125 million operating budget and Measure I-98 and Measure V general obligation facilities budgets has been excellent.
The anticipated departure of our assistant superintendent for secondary education from the districts presents an opportunity for restructuring top district administration. It is obvious that, as we enter a period of serious budget challenges, we must cut administrative expenses as well as other programs and personnel district-wide. It is my intention to leave the position unfilled and absorb the responsibilities under other administrative positions. I intend to present the board with a plan to reassign the administrative responsibilities of the assistant superintendent for secondary education, assuming a number of responsibilities myself. The plan may also upgrade the current assistant superintendent for elementary education to include additional responsibilities. If upgraded, the assistant superintendent for elementary education may become the associate superintendent of educational services. We have a number of months to be able to think through these changes. However, for the CBO position, time is critical; the district must move forward in fiscal planning now.
With the understanding that the assistant superintendent for secondary education position will not be replaced, the board approved the position of deputy superintendent for business and non-instructional services, which would fill the need for a CBO. The board also approved a job description for the position and authorized the superintendent to negotiate with our interim CBO, Eric Smith, to fill the position.