Board votes against extending administrator contracts

Talk about it

GALESVILLE – The Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau School Board voted Monday not to extend the contracts of seven district administrators.

Board president Tanya Gendreau said the decision gives school officials a safety net should tight budget times call for a reduction in staffing.

“We aren’t far enough yet in the decision process ... and we have to have as much flexibility as possible,” she said. “Like all school districts we are looking at our budget.”

The school board had until Friday to give administrators notice that their contracts that expire in June 2011 wouldn’t be extended, Superintendent Troy Gunderson said. It includes building principals, associate principals and two other positions, Gundersen said.

G-E-T is facing a $300,000 budget shortfall for the 2010-11 school year, Gunderson said. Its five-year, $800,000 operating referendum will also expire.

“We’re not mad at everybody. We are very happy with everyone’s performance,” Gendreau said. “It is not a performance issue at all. Our concern is reducing expenses next year by $300,000 to balance the budget.”

The board will meet Jan. 25 to begin discussing another operating referendum.

“We are looking to craft the best referendum to pass,” Gendreau said. “To do that we need as much flexibility as possible.”

Gunderson said he will present several options to board members to get the discussion started.

Copyright (c) 2010, La Crosse Tribune, Wis./Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

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