At this coming Monday's Human Resources Committee meeting, one agenda item being kept on the down low is the discussion of a JOB DESCRIPTION for a Performing Arts Center Director/Manager!
Hello! Have we not been discussing the (still) looming budget crunch? Speaking of which...anyone seen even a DRAFT of a budget proposal for 2010-11? The school district always tells us that the budget is about 85% personnel costs, and seeing that they settled a 2-year contract with the teachers union (SPEA)....doesn't that mean they should AT LEAST be able to show us a draft? Probably, but they know we wouldn't like what we would see. But that's another story.
This whole PAC Manager thing...for a PAC in a school that won't even open for another 7 months brings to mind the infamous gun rack scene from Wayne's World...remember it?
[Stalker girl friend Stacy presents Wayne with a gun rack as an "anniversary present"]Didn't the school board direct administration to hold the line on new personnel?
"A gun rack? I don't even own a gun. Let alone many guns that would necessitate an entire gun rack. What am I going to do with a gun rack?"
-Wayne Campbell from Wayne's World.
And what exactly would the salary (and benefits) be for a "Performing Arts Center Manager"?
Oh....and get ready for MORE such new positions. Like a Pool Director...perhaps a "Fieldhouse Manager"...perhaps even a Sports Field Coordinator?
These are all the "hidden" costs we incur when we open a new school, particularly a high school. They go to referendum asking for $100 MILLION dollars, but then conveniently avoid any discussion regarding the costs of new personnel.
And isn't it REALLY convenient that we're having these discussions BEFORE we even talk about the new teaching positions that will be needed? The teachers are an absolute necessity, so let's get the frivolous add-ons taken care of so people won't say no later.
What Are Other Districts Doing?
Yes, some districts have hired a "Performing Arts Center Manager/Director/Coordinator"...but others such as Waunakee, have offered the duties/responsibilities to an existing staff member in return for an additional salary-boosting stipend....much like is done with coaches, club advisors, teacher mentors, and building councils. Gee...there's a novel idea.... Instead of hiring a new $100K club staff member for what amounts to limited responsibilities...why not offer the role to a teacher with an interest in drama? In fact, if you check the websites for some of these districts, you see that they have pretty simple, but effective web-based PAC scheduling pages.
How about Engaging the Chamber of Commerce?
Let's see. Holding some event in the new PAC would be sure to help out local businesses, right? You know...as event patrons go to eat or shop before or after the event? So why not solicit the Chamber of Commerce to assist in the scheduling of events at the PAC? That is what we call a mutually beneficial arrangement.
We were not a big fan of the Chamber charging the district $1300 for annual membership given that the district is not a profit-seeking venture. But...most certainly, there can and should be a partnership between the district and the chamber.
How about playing this one by ear?
We vote "NO" to rushing ahead to create another overpaid administrative/administrative support position. Let's see how the PAC plays out before even considering such a thing. We do give a thumbs up to using existing staff in the interim and to opening a dialog with the Chamber of Commerce about a joint venture to secure events for the PAC.
Wait a minute
How do we even book events at the PAC when it doesn't even have a piano?
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