Reorganization in Indian River reassigns principals, eliminates positions to save $1.2M
Principals are changing positions and moving to different schools and administrative positions are being eliminated as part of a reorganization aimed at saving the school district money.
"The driving force behind the current district realignment is a direct extension of the district’s deeply rooted culture of rapid learning, continuous improvement and adaptive excellence," Superintendent David Moore said in a memo to the School Board.
Among the 15 positions eliminated — saving about $1.7 million — are the assistant superintendent of student affairs, advocacy and access; the director of risk management and employee benefits; and the public information officer. The restructuring of existing administrative positions to absorb some of the workload will cost $499,094.
"We're trying to create something new," Moore told the School Board June 16 in outlining his reorganization plan and strategy.
Over the past six years, $7.3 million in administrative salaries and benefits has been slashed from the budget, Moore said.
"We need to be more efficient," Moore told the board.
Overall, the reorganization will save the district about $1.2 million by eliminating overlapping responsibilities and improving efficiency, district officials said. The reorganization takes effect July 1.
In reorganizing the district administration, principals also are being reassigned:
∙ Vero Beach High School Principal Shawn O'Keefe becomes director of Food Services
∙ Liberty Magnet School Principal Takeisha Harris becomes director of Human Resources and Risk Management
∙ Storm Grove Middle School Principal Christopher Tayler becomes principal of Liberty Magnet School
∙ Beachland Principal Rachel Finnegan becomes Vero Beach High School principal
∙ Vero Beach High School Assistant Principal Vanessa Gonzalez becomes Beachland Elementary principal
∙ Storm Grove Middle School Assistant Principal Demarcus Harris to Storm Grove Middle School principal.
Colleen Wixon is the education reporter for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers. She covers school districts in Indian River, Martin and St. Lucie counties.