By By JAMES COLLINS / Niles Daily Star
NILES -- Progress was made in the Brandywine superintendent search and potential budget cuts for next school year were discussed at the Brandywine Board of Education meeting on Monday night.
The board came one step closer to finding a superintendent by narrowing the field of applicants down to six finalists.
The candidates being considered are:
Tom Pridgeon, regional president of Michigan Leadership Institute, the firm assisting Brandywine with the superintendent search, was on hand to tally the votes for the board members' top six choices.
When the candidates were selected, Pridgeon left the meeting to call the candidates and set up interview times for next week.
The interviews will take place in the Brandywine High School library and will be open to the public.
On March 22, Parsons will be interviewed at 6 p.m. and Dodge is scheduled for 8 p.m.
On March 24, Olsen is scheduled to interview at 6 p.m. and Kramer at 8 p.m.
On March 25, Moellenberndt will be interviewed at 6 p.m. and Gray at 8 p.m.
After the interviews, the board will narrow the field of candidates down to two or three people.
In other business, interim superintendent Gary Campbell made some recommendations for potential budget cuts for the 2004-2005 school year.
Campbell announced budget cuts are an "unfortunate task" that no superintendent looks forward to.
He made it clear that all of his recommendations were just potential ideas.
The reductions were for $460,000 and included two administrative positions, three teaching positions, the elimination of in-school suspension and non-personnel supply costs.
The two administrative positions include Lisa Pointer Seidner, who serves as a program coordinator and Lin Mallory, who serves as one of four high school administrators. The board went on to approve a resolution to consider non-renewal of these administrative positions.
A decision was not made regarding specific teaching positions, but Campbell said they would have to determine if it was necessary by April.
Campbell said he realizes there are other options and welcomed suggestions.
During the hearing of the visitors, there was concern of the recommendation of non-renewal of the administration positions.
The superintendent and board acknowledged these concerns and mentioned the tough financial times will probably force them to make some personnel cuts.
Board secretary Michael Shelton pointed out over 80 percent of the entire budget goes into personnel.