By Karen Hall

Editor

The Director of Schools' organizational chart for Central Office next year was unanimously approved by school board members at their June meeting Monday.

"I would appreciate you approving it," said Jackie Abernathy, and she got her wish, after a minimum of discussion. Also unanimously approved were job descriptions for three positions: Deputy Director of Schools, Transportation/Safe Schools Supervisor, and Virtual Learning Coordinator.

Board members were pleased to see the position of Deputy Director of Schools added to the chart.

"Delegation is a great step," said Barbara Kennedy, referring to a recent stress-related illness that sent Abernathy to the emergency room.

The chart shows K-6 principals reporting directly to Abernathy, while 7-12 principals report to the Deputy Director.

When asked why she had structured the chart this way, Abernathy said, "I hope the Deputy Director will be more focused on secondary leadership."

Once the Deputy Director is hired, Abernathy got the board's permission to employ him, or her, for 10 days at $150 per day, without benefits, to help with the rest of the hiring.

Approval of an org chart with a minimum of discussion was anything but the norm before Abernathy became director of schools. Under both previous directors, discussion of the org chart typically lasted hours, or even stretched over several days, and at least one director had a chart rejected by the board.

Board members also unanimously approved entering into a four-year contract with Cenergistics for an energy-saving program for the school system.

Truman Atkins, of Cenergistics, made a presentation to the maintenance committee and they were so impressed they brought it to the full board.

"It seemed like a win-win situation," said Harvey Jones Jr.

"It seemed like a win-win to me, too," agreed Abernathy. "Systems (who are using it) have seen tremendous savings."

"It's self-funded and guaranteed," added Ken Lilly.

"Where do we start the baseline?" asked chairman Mike Keny.

"The Siemens program started two years ago," said Donnie Moses. "It's already fully implemented and we're repaying it based on savings. This program starts a new baseline. This is efficient use of what's already in place."

"With this program we monitor the savings," said Abernathy.

"We have to hire a facilitator, an energy specialist, who basically audits after-hours usage," said Lilly. "It's during the off hours where the biggest waste happens. They (Cenergistics) train them. It sounds too good to be true, but they guarantee it."

Board members voted to suspend the rules to allow Atkins to explain more about his company and its program.

"There's no aspect of energy management and conservation that we don't know how to deal with," Atkins said, citing over 20 years of experience, working with more than 1,000 school districts in 48 states.

"We average better than 26 percent energy savings across the country," he said. "We guarantee the savings will cover all costs."

Kennedy asked what would happen if teachers failed to comply with directions to shut down equipment and turn off lights at the end of each day.

"I don't think you're going to have any problem with this when they realize the savings can go toward instruction or salaries," said Abernathy. "It's doing the little things and working together."

Jones moved to go ahead with the Cenergistics program, pending approval of the contract by the school board's attorney, and the vote was 9-0 in favor.