HUNTINGTON BEACH : Schools Eliminate Administrative Job

The Huntington Beach City School District board has unanimously agreed to eliminate one of the district’s top administrative positions.

Trustees voted this week not to fill the post of assistant superintendent for educational services, which has been vacant since Rebecca Turrentine resigned from the job a year ago.

The elimination of the position is part of new Supt. Duane Dishno’s budget-tightening plan, which the board approved in its entirety Tuesday. By removing one of the district’s three assistant superintendent jobs, the district will save an estimated $71,000 in salary and benefits, Dishno said.

As the district’s enrollment has steadily dwindled during the past 15 years, demands upon administrators have similarly declined, Dishno said.

“My feeling is that, in view of the significant reduction in students we have seen, administration is another of the areas that needs to be looked at” when budget cuts are considered, he said. The school board is scheduled to slash about $500,000 in spending this year and may have to make similar cuts next year.

In recommending the reorganization, Dishno said: “My only concern is that the effect of these changes not be felt in the classroom. And I believe we can make it work. I’ve seen it work before” in other districts.

Under the restructuring, the district will retain two assistant superintendents--Gary Burgner, who runs business services, and Alan Rasmussen, who will now be in charge of both personnel and educational services.

John Conniff, who has been the district’s personnel director, will assist Rasmussen to ease his added workload.

Rasmussen and Conniff will work in tandem on most issues related to school programs. Burgner will take over some responsibilities of the eliminated position, such as insurance programs and employee tax-shelter plans.

Dishno emphasized that the change does not suggest the district is viewing educational programs as being less important.

“I see a real need to focus our resources on instructional services,” he said.