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MMS asst. principal transition begins with dean of students
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MONROE - The Monroe School District will begin the transition this year of cutting the middle school assistant principal position in 2013-14.

The Monroe School Board voted unanimously Monday to give a $5,000 stipend to Rikki Kazda to serve an extra duty as a dean of students at the middle school in addition to her school psychologist position. District leaders agreed to cut an administrative position in 2013-14 after voters rejected a four-year $8 million referendum in April 2011. Monroe Middle School Assistant Principal Melissa Wiegel's position will be cut at the end of this school year and district leaders wanted to get a jump-start on the transition.

"The reality is there will be a 50-percent reduction in administration at the middle school," said Joe Monroe, the district's director of pupil services. "We believe this is a cost-effective way to provide support at the middle school and still keep our commitment."

Monroe said Wiegel's focus the last year will be at the charter school.

Kazda will receive compensation similar to a coach and she may have to complete some of her reports and data collection after school, he said.

Several board members expressed concerns about Kazda being overloaded and not being able to complete her school psychologist work during the day.

Monroe School District Superintendent Cory Hirsbrunner supported the transition plan of giving Kazda an extra duty as dean of students for this year.

"I think it will help with the transition of the students and families," Hirsbrunner said.

Hirsbrunner said the plan will be re-evaluated at the end of the year before 2013-14. She said MMS Principal Lynne Wheeler's role has to be driving instruction and data collection.

"It's hard to do that when you have to deal with any discipline issues that come in the door," Hirsbrunner said.

In other action, the board:

- Hired Cheryl Keene as a library specialist at Parkside Elementary School.

- Hired Ginny Vogel as a library specialist at the Monroe Public Library.

- Approved the resignation of Carolyn Hardy as a library specialist at Monroe Public Library.

- Approved a three-year snow removal contract with Jeff Voegeli Landscaping that will begin this school year.

- Approved the purchase of a Rhyme Riso Graph for the AV center. The purchase is estimated to cost the district $5,808.

- Approved a $500 donation from the Salvation Army.