Staff Writer
HOULTON — Facing an ever-increasing student need for medical care, the SAD 29 school board agreed Monday evening to advertise for part-time nurse for the 2012-13 school year.
“We are certainly challenged as far as our nurses go,” said SAD 29 Superintendent Mike Hammer. “We have two wonderful nurses, but we have a tremendous amount of (student) needs.”
Hammer said he considered putting the nursing position in the budget last spring, but opted not to since he was not sure if the need would be there at that time.
Exactly how much the individual will be paid was not determined during Monday’s meeting. Hammer said the amount the person will be paid would depend on how much experience the candidate has. The position was estimated to start at around $15,000, plus benefits, but could be more.
Funding for the position will come from an unexpended line in the current budget. The district funded, but did not fill, a pre-kindergarten position at Wellington Elementary School.
“That turned out to be a blessing because we have tremendous need for a nurse at Wellington,” Hammer said. “We have a third grade student who has a tracheotomy and also has dietary needs.”
To care for the student, an education technician was hired at the school. That person has had some training in dealing with the medical needs, but Hammer said it would be wise for the district to have an actual nurse available.
The district currently has two fulltime nurses — one for both Houlton Elementary and Southside schools and another for Houlton Junior/Senior High School and Wellington School. The district also has several students that have severe food allergies that can require a nurses action if they have an allergic reaction at the school, Hammer said.
The board also named Jan Neureuther as the district’s new interim special education director. Neureuther previously served as a second-grade teacher and Learning Resource Center Director at Greater Houlton Christian Academy. Neureuther was hired to one-year contract at $65,000.
Board member John Tribou asked what the salary range was for the position. Hammer said that was difficult to answer since it could range from a stipend position in some districts to upwards of $100,000 in others.
Neureuther’s hiring marks the second time in as many months that the board has hired a special education director. Last month, the board agreed to a one-year contract with Michael Dorsey at a salary of $70,000. A few days later, Dorsey opted not to take the position.
The official board vote on Neureuther’s appointment was unclear. At least one board member, Tribou, did not raise his hand in support of the nomination, but board chairman Liz Anderson did not ask if anyone opposed the nomination.
On Tuesday, Tribou confirmed he was not in support of the nomination.
In other agenda items, the board approved:
• Sandra Straubel as a grade 7-8 Special Education teacher.
• Matt McCluskey as an eighth grade boys basketball coach.
• Marty Bouchard as grade 7-8 girls basketball coach. Bouchard informed the board that he did not think the coaching duties would interfere with his position as high school principal. He also stated to free up time, he would no longer serve as a high school basketball referee.
The next regular SAD 29 board meeting will be Monday, Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. at the Superintendent’s Office.
