It appears likely that current Riverside-Brookfield High School District 208 business manager Chris Whelton will be replaced by a part-time interim appointee.
Whelton will be leaving District 208 on July 1 to take a new job as an assistant superintendent for finance and operations at Elmhurst Unit District 205.
With RBHS’ finances in flux and a new superintendent starting on July 1, District 208 Interim Superintendent David Bonnette says it makes sense to hire a short-term replacement.
“The nice thing about doing this with a part-time person, possibly a retiree, now, is that you don’t have a long-term commitment,” Bonnette said. “The advantage of this is it gives the board and the new superintendent time to come in a do an evaluation.”
With Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction Tim Scanlon due to retire in 2012, the possibilities are there for a significant reorganization of administrative duties at RBHS, so it makes sense to avoid a long-term commitment, Bonnette said.
Last year, Bonnette recommended that the school board hire a full-time superintendent to replace him and switch to either a part-time or lower-level employee to run the business office.
In February, the school board hired Kevin Skinkis, now the principal at Bartlett High School, to take over as superintendent of District 208 on July 1. Skinkis holds an endorsement as a certified school business officer, meaning that RBHS does not have to have another employee with that certification. However, Skinkis does not have much experience handling financial matters.
Bonnette hopes the school board can have a replacement in place by the time Whelton leaves.
“I would like to have a replacement in by July 1,” Bonnette said. “This is a good possibility for someone who has recently retired and who has the endorsement.”
At least one school board member is opposed to hiring a part-time business manager.
“This is a key role,” said Laura Hruska at the May 17 school board meeting. “If you’re thinking part time, I don’t think that is good at all.”
