By Megan Decker
Staff Writer
VASSAR — The Vassar School Board entered into an agreement with the Millington Community School District to share the services of its superintendent for the second semester 2013-2014 term.
Vassar Superintendent Thomas Palmer will serve on an interim basis as both the superintendent for Vassar Public Schools and Millington Community Schools from Jan. 6, 2014 through June 30, 2014.
Millington Schools will pay the Vassar School District $36,000 for its superintendent services. Palmer will earn an additional $12,000, to come from the $36,000, from the Vassar district for his increased work load.
The two districts will evaluate the agreement in April and will decide at that time if they will continue the shared superintendent services next academic year.
Palmer will split his time between the two districts as he sees fit each week, he explained.
The two districts had planned to look at sharing services next semester prior to the sudden resignation of Millington Superintendent John Males. Males will step down from his position as of Jan. 6 for health related reasons; however, he will remain as a consultant for Millington Community Schools.
“Schools all over are facing financial difficulties and by sharing these types of services we are leading the way for other districts,” said Vassar School Board treasurer Kirk VanWormer. “We’ve decided to give this a try.”
The two districts will discuss other options for sharing services at both of the boards’ January meetings, Palmer added.
Among other action, the board announced the resignation of vice-president Roger Bacon Sr. Bacon resigned on Dec. 2 after joining the Vassar City Council and becoming the city’s mayor. Bacon recently learned that he may not serve on both boards and decided to step down from the school board, Palmer explained during the meeting.
School board members will hold interviews for the vacant position during a special meeting beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18. The appointed position will be filled through the length of Bacon’s term which is set to expire in November 2014.
Interested individuals must submit a letter of intent to the superintendent’s office by 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 16.
School board members also entered into an agreement with Michigan Educational Partnership for an online blending program for youth. The program may allow the Vassar district the opportunity to earn additional public funding. Members also approved the second reading of the revised bylaws and policy issues.
The next regular meeting of the Vassar Board of Education will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 13 at the Vassar High School media center. The board’s 2014 Organizational Meeting will be held beginning at 6 p.m. on Jan. 13 at the Vassar High School media center.