Deans of students positions eliminated

By Katie Wilson
Times West Virginian

FAIRMONT May 05, 2009 10:06 pm

— All deans of students positions in Marion County schools will soon be a thing of the past.
The Marion County Board of Education approved Superintendent of Schools James Phares’ recommendation to abolish the positions at its regular meeting Monday.
That action will become effective on June 30.
That eliminated the positions at Barrackville School, Rivesville School, Fairview, Monongah, Mannington and West Fairmont middle schools, East Fairmont Junior High, East Dale and East Park elementary schools, and East Fairmont, Fairmont Senior and North Marion high schools.
Five of those positions, the ones at the three high schools, EFJHS and WFMS, became assistant principals positions. That means at each high school and at WFMS there will be a principal and two assistants, and a principal and an assistant at EFJHS.
The deans of students program was created by Phares several years ago as a training ground for future administrators. They also provided another level of administration at the schools and support for the principals.
Those in deans of students positions were among those who received Reduction In Force notices in March. At that time, Gary Price, MCBOE administrative assistant for personnel and student services, confirmed those notices had gone out and stated the county was about 40 professional personnel and 80 service personnel over the number paid for by the state. Any positions over that number must be paid for with local funds.
Phares said Monday the issue of deans will most likely be brought up again after Tom Deadrick takes over as superintendent on June 1.
“Mr. Deadrick has asked to address the issue after he takes over in June,” Phares said.
E-mail Katie Wilson at kwilson@timeswv.com.