Two tapped for top school positions in Janesville
JANESVILLE — Superintendent Karen Schulte on Friday named two people to fill vacancies in her leadership team for the Janesville School District.
The school board will take up Schulte's recommendations Tuesday.
Schulte recommends Steve Sperry, the principal of Edison Middle School, to be the new director of administrative and human services.
She recommended Keith Pennington to be the new chief financial officer. Pennington was CFO at Rosecrance Health Network in Rockford, Ill., from 2000 until April 2009, according to a district news release.
Schulte said she'd begin a nationwide search for a new Edison principal. She said she hopes to get "a good number of minority candidates" because she is committed to diversifying district teachers and administrators to match the growing diversity of students.
Schulte wasn't sure a new principal could be appointed by the time school starts Sept. 1. She said she would consider appointing an interim principal.
Sperry was an industrial-education and special-education teacher before becoming assistant principal of Parker High School. He has been at Edison since 2004. He holds a doctorate in educational administration.
One other finalist for the position was Heidi Schmidt, district administrator in Fall River.
Sperry would receive a salary of $124,900.
Pennington holds a master's degree in business administration and is a certified public accountant.
Another finalist for the CFO position was Karen Gagliano, a business director at a school district in Tennessee, Schulte said.
Pennington would earn a $124,500 salary.
On the agenda
The Janesville School Board meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Educational Services Center, 527 S. Franklin St. Items on the agenda include:
-- Vote on a recommended 10-cent-per-meal increase in student lunch prices.
-- Discussion of the district's one-year moratorium on the All-City Sing.
-- Presentation and discussion of the impact of state budget cuts on the district budget.
-- A presentation about the district's bid and procurement processes.
Jul 13, 2009 at 12:46 p.m.
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The politics in the district stink! You have teachers doing a good job like the lady that got the grant for the dog, and she still hasn't been re-hired for next year. They hire new grads fresh out of school instead of experienced dedicated teachers!
Jul 12, 2009 at 4:55 p.m.
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Well said Urbangirl!! I had the same similar experience, with the school district and the school board it is all a big joke, and it is about to come out into the open, so the rest of this city that pays these people's wages can be made aware of exactly what goes on in our school district!
Jul 12, 2009 at 4:24 p.m.
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Karen Schulte is amazing! First, she provides a pay raise for an employee she just gave a letter of reprimand to and now she hires a person, who I have on good information, was not chosen by the interview team. It makes no difference. Give her another 2 years and she will be cast aside once she can no longer please Cullen. A real piece of work!
Jul 12, 2009 at 2:30 p.m.
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Who held this position prior to Sperry?
Jul 12, 2009 at 10:02 a.m.
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124K !! Nice!! Can an old broken down coaching colleague get a loan, Steve? Congratulations! I know you will do a great job as always!
Jul 11, 2009 at 10:47 p.m.
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Congratulations Mr. Sperry!! I guess Mrs. Schulte or should I say God? is basically saying if you are not a minority you shouldn't apply for the job as Edison principal, and no, I am not racist, but it sounds as if someone else is, no, nevermind, everything she does is for show, I am sure the choice for this position has already been made!!
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