Senator McCoy proposes cutting 218 school superintendents
Iowa Capitol
Iowa Senator Matt McCoy has introduced a bill that would eliminate 218 school superintendent positions and allow only one school Superintendent per county. The bill would cap the number of superintendents to one per county by the year 2013. While it may sound like it, this bill will not consolidate any schools within in the state. In an interview via e-mail with Senator McCoy, he said ” I have never proposed consolidation of schools. I have never even mentioned it. The bill calls for one superintendent per county and one central office per county.” McCoy also said that it will not create a superintendent sharing plan between school districts “No (in response to the question) It’s combining all the services currently offered by Central Administrative Offices. These include combining personnel in all areas including curriculum, personnel, transportation, nutritionists, bookkeeping/business, maintenance, nursing, etc.”
McCoy said that there is no set plan on how the new county superintendent will be decided on if this bill is passed. “I have intentionally stayed away from micro-managing how school districts will respond to the requirement.” McCoy did however, give some personal opinions as to how the process should work. “Understandably, this is a very emotional issue with huge self-interest at stake on the part of each district. This being the case, it will probably make sense to include neutral parties in the decision making process. Development of a criteria and time lines for decision making would also make sense.” said McCoy.
The issue of one Superintendent per county has also been brought up. With some counties having several large districts in them, some have wondered if one superintendent will be enough in each county or if there should also be assistant superintendents to help the county superintendent. McCoy responded to this question by saying “Some of them (school districts) currently have assistant superintendents but many have moved away from that title because such positions are more expensive then executive directors or directors. Creation of these expensive positions, especially as a means of getting around eliminating superintendents or to be used as a political maneuver to appease current superintendents at-risk of losing their positions, will probably not make much sense.”
McCoy also took the time to comment on the financial impact this will have on the state. It was noted by McCoy that taxpayers pay $45 million for superintendent salaries and benefits statewide. “Taxpayers are currently paying $35,838,771 for full time superintendents. This does not include benefits which push that total expenditure to $45,404,132. Using only the total salary figure of $35,838,771, having one superintendent per county would cost taxpayers $11,748,429. This would realize an annual savings of $24,090,342. I am proposing that savings be put back into classrooms and front line teachers.”
In closing, Senator McCoy said “The Iowa that existed when counties, school districts, and governmental entities were determined no longer exists. Seeing a horse and buggy on Iowa roads today is a photo op rather than business as usual. That horse and buggy world, for the vast majority, is gone. Yet we maintain the relics of that era — 99 counties along with a surplus of schools, county seats, county court houses, AEAs, and yes — legislators.”
Senator McCoy’s bill has not been voted on by the Senate or House yet.
