Westerville City School District Superintendent Dr. John R. Kellogg this week announced a restructuring of his district-level leadership team, which is intended to address succession planning needs, as well as strengthen academic and operational support.
“We have a number of people in key leadership positions who will be eligible to retire over the next two or three years,” Kellogg said. “Making these organizational adjustments now will help us streamline our reporting structure, meet some identified short-term support needs, and ensure that we have a plan in place to support a long-term transition of responsibilities as veteran administrators wrap up their career with our district.”
The following adjustments take effect immediately, which allows for the transition of various responsibilities and mentoring of individuals in their new roles throughout the remainder of the school year:
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Executive Director of Human Resources and Labor Relations Dr. Paul Hopkins will become Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning. He will report to the Deputy Superintendent and Superintendent in this new role. The district’s Elementary and Secondary Teaching and Learning departments will now report to the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning instead of the Superintendent. Director of Human Resources Steven Mazzi will become Executive Director of Human Resources.
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Executive Director of Facilities and Operations Scott Dorne will become Assistant Superintendent of Operations and report to the Deputy Superintendent and Superintendent. The district’s Technology Department will transition into Operations. The Office of Communications and Technology will become the Office of Communications and Family Engagement.
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Manager of Food Services and Purchasing Karisa Dennis will become Director of Human Resources and Food Services. This position, which is responsible for Classified Personnel and Food Services operations, will report to both the Executive Director of Human Resources and Assistant Superintendent of Operations. Some responsibilities previously managed by Dennis with transition to other operations team members, with Director of Purchasing and Logistics Bob Lynde continuing to oversee purchasing.
“Some of these changes will require Board of Education approval due to the creation of new positions and salary adjustments based upon increased responsibilities,” Kellogg explained. “We are not growing the size of our leadership team as there are no additional personnel being hired to implement this new organizational structure. What I’m most excited about, however, is that the plan strengthens and brings greater focus to our efforts to improve academics.”
The initial organizational changes requiring Board members’ authorization appeared on the Board’s January 11, 2021, meeting agenda. The total cost of the restructuring plan is minimal, coming in at an estimated $63,000. However, the plan is also expected to pay for itself over the next few years as veteran administrators retire from the district and salaries are adjusted accordingly.