Tuesday, January 22, 2013
The Greenfield School Board decided filling both positions on a temporary basis was the right move, for now.
After being rejected by one of their own, the Greenfield School Board will look outside the district to fill its superintendent vacancy, both on an interim and permanent basis. The board voted unanimously in favor of hiring a search firm to aide in finding a permanent superintendent to replace Conrad Farner, who resigned earlier this month to accept a position in Cedarburg. “There’s been much discussion amongst board members in regard to the need to go out and see what’s available as far as superintendent position,” board clerk Cathy Walsh said. “We’ve had a tumultuous year. The board itself amongst each other hasn’t always seen eye to eye. “But I think we have to be sure we involve all the stakeholders in the district: staff, students, …
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Kristin Kollath told the Greenfield School Board of intended resignation earlier this week, one week after former Superintendent Conrad Farner did the same.
As the Greenfield School Board decides how to replace former Superintendent Conrad Farner, it will simultaneously be searching for a new business director. Director of Business Services Kristin Kollath has informed the Greenfield School Board of her intention to resign effective Feb. 22. Kollath told Greenfield Patch she accepted a position in higher education. “My tenure at the School District of Greenfield has been highlighted by the good fortune of working with quality, hard-working and dedicated staff,” Kollath said. “I’ve grown substantially as a professional over the six and a half years with the district and I’m proud of what we have been able to accomplish during this time. “I thank the School Board for the opportunity to serve the…
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
New report says the Whitnall School District has seen a big reduction in pension and health care costs. Greenfield officials say they saved more than the report indicates.
The controversial state law that eliminated most collective bargaining rights for school employees reduced benefit costs for the Whitnall School District by $164,468 last school year, according to a report released earlier this month. The chunk of Whitnall's savings came from reductions in the district's share of employee retirement costs, the report by the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance said. In the 2010-11 school year, Whitnall paid $713,028 toward pension costs for workers; in 2011-12, that dropped to about $639,570, the report said. The district also saved more than $90,000 in health insurance costs, according to the report, which was based on data that public school districts provide to the state Department of Public Instruction. In …
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Cathy Walsh said she overreacted and used a poor choice of words when she suggested the district wasn't following the law during a meeting this summer.
Greenfield School Board member Cathy Walsh publically apologized for comments she made to district business manager Kristin Kollath at a meeting over the summer. On Monday, Walsh said she was wrong to say the way Kollath and the district handle Fund 80, specifically how and what expenses and revenues are reported in the community service fund, was unlawful. Walsh said Monday she overreacted and used a poor choice of words that rightfully offended Kollath. “I wish at this time to apologize to Ms. Kollath,” Walsh said. “It was not my intention to say that she was breaking the law. Ms. Kollath maintains a good reputation as a school business manager and my comments regarding the handling of the community service fund were not meant to reflect…
Friday, August 17, 2012
The contentious relationship between the board and administration has been boiling over for months, beginning with very public comments made by teacher Kerri Jo Patten and board member Russ Spahn in June.
In the months since the April election brought three new members to the Greenfield School Board, one thing has become abundantly clear: Some board members are determined to question all aspects of district business. Two of the new members—Cathy Walsh, a longtime board member who returned after a two-year absence, and Russ Spahn, the city’s former fire chief—have consistently challenged Superintendent Conrad Farner and his administrative team on agenda item after agenda item. The contentious relationship between the board and administration has been simmering for months, beginning with very public comments made by teacher Kerri Jo Patten and Spahn at the June 11 meeting. Patten chastised administration for reassigning her from Maple Grove …
Fred
12:01 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
okay Conrad is gone. now what? more ›