Burckbuchler Makes Changes, Including Elimination of His Asst. Supt. Position

By Amber Lester Monday, May 17, 2010

Several employees in Williamsburg-James City County schools will be filling new roles or changing their job titles when the new fiscal year starts on July 1.

In a memo sent to employees Friday, Acting Superintendent Scott Burckbuchler outlined changes for the upcoming school year, which transfers several principals and assistant principals around the division.

“Change is a healthy, reinvigorating process that any organization must undergo in order to meet new realities and continue to advance,” Burckbuchler wrote in the memo. “WJCC must continue to make progress in the upcoming year.”

The revamped division will now be led by a superintendent, assistant superintendent and three senior directors for human resources, operations and finance. The changes could save the division about $200,000 in the new fiscal year if a custodial services coordinator position is not filled. If it is, the division will still save in excess of $100,000 in budget salaries and more, Burckbuchler said in an e-mail.

By appointing a senior director of finance, Burckbuchler has eliminated his own position as Assistant Superintendent of Finance. Last week, he was named acting superintendent by the school board; Gary Mathews will step down June 30 to become superintendent of Newton County, Ga. schools. The board formally launched its national search for the next superintendent on Thursday during a meeting with representatives from the Virginia School Board Association.

Burckbuchler did not confirm whether he plans to apply for the superintendent position, but did say, “I am dedicated to WJCC and want to contribute to its success. I serve at the pleasure of the School Board. My main focus right now is to provide leadership for the rest of this year and next.”

At Thursday’s work session, VSBA representatives Frank Barham and Gina Patterson recommended the board invite eligible in-house candidates to apply and commit to interview each of them for the superintendent position. The Virginia Department of Education maintains a list of educators who currently hold licensure to serve as superintendents in the state; current Executive Director for Secondary Instruction and Staff Development Dianna Lindsay was on the list, but Burckbuchler was not, as of Friday. The VDOE cautions, however, that the list is updated almost daily as individuals apply or renew licenses.

Lindsay will become the Assistant Superintendent for Academic Services. Her main responsibility will be coordinating “academic concerns” within the division, Burckbuchler said. Regina Yitbarek, who currently serves as the Executive Director for Elementary Instruction and Staff Development, will focus on curriculum and staff development issues and continue to provide leadership to the elementary principals.

Three departments – Human Resources, Operations and Finance – will be led by senior directors. Burckbuchler has filled in as director for human resources for nearly two years; during budget development meetings, the School Board expressed a desire to hire a full-time director for the department. Now, current benefits coordinator Jon Andre will lead Human Resources.

Assistant Superintendent of Operations Bob Becker will leave June 30 to become the new superintendent of Pulaski County schools. His leadership role will be filled by Marcellus Snipes, currently serving as custodial coordinator. Finally, Accounting Supervisor Rene Ewing will step into the leadership role for the finance department.

At the school level, several principals and vice principals will transfer around the division.

• D.J. Montague Elementary Principal Sammy Fudge will become principal of Toano Middle School, due to the retirement of Theresa Redd.
• James River Elementary Principal Lynn Turner will become principal at D.J. Montague. Her position will be filled by a new hire.
• Rawls Byrd Elementary Principal Wes Early will become the first assistant principal of Lois S. Hornsby Middle School. He will serve alongside Principal Byron Bishop at the new school.
• Burckbuchler recommends the board appoint Rawls Byrd Elementary Assistant Principal Cathy Vazquez as principal of the school.
• Matoaka Elementary Assistant Principal Kim Pickles will serve as assistant principal at D.J. Montague.
• D.J. Montague Assistant Principal Alice Daniels will serve as assistant principal at Matoaka Elementary.
• Toano Middle School Assistant Principal Lisa Winfield will become assistant principal at the new J. Blaine Blayton Elementary School.