Administrative Restructure: Educational Services Department

Administrative Restructure
Educational Services Department

At the March 2nd, 2017 special board meeting, the Superintendent and staff proposed a long term staffing structure that would take steps in solidifying a strong foundation for both our Educational Services department and Alternative Education department.   

Student learning and achievement of their full potential is why our schools and district exist. However, over the past several years the lack of a permanent and full time Director of Educational Services has hindered our District’s ability to fully carry out its vision and responsibility to students and staff. Appropriate and coordinated support has not been available to most effectively serve teachers and students. This issue has been significantly compounded by the deeply complex federal and state changes to education.  MCUSD has not been able to keep pace with the implementation of new mandates and initiatives despite all of our best efforts. MCUSD’s struggle to provide a consistent staffing structure for our Educational Services department, has made it difficult to provide quality educational support for students and staff, despite our staffs dedicated and determined efforts.

Our Superintendent presented a list of staffing options for the Educational Services department for consideration to the Board at a special study session on January 26th. With feedback from the Board, the Superintendent, along with additional input, created a second list of proposals for consideration in February.  Upon review, the Board directed the Superintendent and staff to bring forward additional plans for consideration to a special meeting in March.  Additional plans needed to address administrative oversight and support for both the Educational Services department and Alternative Education programs, in an efficient and fiscally prudent manner.

Historical Timeline
Educational Services Department Administrative Structure

School Years 2013-15:

The department was led by a Director who was promoted to Assistant Superintendent upon the departure of the Superintendent. This resulted in additional duties in other departments and reduced focus on Director of Educational Services duties and responsibilities. This shift required the Administrative Assistant/Testing Coordinator to take on duties outside of their job classification. The Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services position was vacated in February of 2015.  A former Superintendent was hired as an Interim Educational Services Director in March of 2015 for the remainder of the school year.

School Year 2015-16:

MCUSD advertised in the Spring of 2015 for an Educational Services Director and the position was accepted by individual who had held the position as an Interim during the second half of the 2014-15 school year.  That person then resigned from the position in September of 2015, returning to their role as Superintendent in their former school district.  Due to the Educational Services Director vacancy, a consultant was secured and contracted on a part-time basis for the remainder of the 2015-16 school year. During budget reductions process for the 2016-17 school year, the vacant Special Projects Coordinator position was eliminated, and the Lake Don Pedro Principal was reassigned to be Director of Educational Technology and Special Projects.

School Year 2016-17:

Due to budget adjustments, the Director of Educational Services position was reduced to a part time position (50 days), and the consultant hired in the Spring of 2015-16 continued to work in the part-time position, in consultation with the Superintendent.

Board Approved Educational Services Department Administrative Restructure

During the March 2nd, 2017 Board meeting, the Superintendent presented multiple options and the Board voted unanimously to approve the following structure seen below as an administrative duties organization chart:

Board of Trustees

Superintendent

Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services

     ↓          

Director of Alternative Education/Educational Services

                                    

SO WHAT IS NEXT?

In the upcoming weeks we will interview candidates for the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services position, as well as develop a transition plan for the Alternative Education/Educational Services position Mr. Henderson will take on.  Additionally, we will be selecting a new principal who will replace Ms. Weaver, who will be transitioning out of her role as Interim Principal at Lake Don Pedro at the end of this year.  

Finally, we will also be recruiting and interviewing to fill teaching vacancies at sites across our district, as several teachers have informed us of their plans to retire at the end of this year.  We will be honoring retirees in the months ahead for all they have contributed to our community, and will then look forward to welcoming new educators to our team.

Jeff Aranguena

Mariposa County Unified School District

Director of Human Resources/Student Services