2 Iowa school districts to stop sharing superintendent

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — Two Iowa school districts have decided to stop sharing a superintendent next year, but the Clear Lake and Mason City districts will maintain close ties in other areas.

The Mason City Globe Gazette reports (http://bit.ly/1R9fZbV ) Clear Lake's board recently decided it wanted to hire a full-time superintendent, so it could have a leader focused on the district.

Mason City had been sharing 40 percent of Superintendent Anita Micich's time with the Clear Lake district since 2010.

Micich had said previously that she enjoyed working for both districts and wanted the arrangement to continue. She will be working for the Mason City district alone going forward.

Clear Lake officials estimate that the district saved more than $800,000 through the sharing because of state incentives and saved salary costs. Mason City officials estimate that they saved about $1.04 million through the arrangement over the years.

The two districts have previously shared specialized teachers and supervisors for transportation and facilities. The districts plan to continue sharing food service and information technology directors.

If Mason City hired its own IT director, business manager John Berg said it would have to spend an extra $15,000 annually. Hiring its own food service director would cost an additional $30,000 each year.

___

Information from: Globe Gazette, http://www.globegazette.com/

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Related topics