OUSD shifts principals, inks contract
By Bret Bradigan

Dr. Tim Baird's four-year contract as superintendent of the Ojai Unified School District got the unanimous nod from the board of trustees at Tuesday night's special meeting, and he wasted little time in reorganizing the district's administrative crew.
In a memo sent to all OUSD staff Wednesday, Baird announced that he was eliminating one administrative position and appointing Doug Becker as principal of Matilija Junior High School.

The move leaves Jim Berube as assistant superintendent in charge of secondary education, facilities and classified support. Jarice Butterfield's position as director of special education will be eliminated, and those duties will follow her to her new position as assistant superintendent as elementary education and special education. "As superintendent, I will be solely in charge of certificated personnel (teachers). In addition to these primary responsibilities, we are also dividing up many specific jobs among the three of us," Baird wrote in that memo.

Berube had earlier agreed to take over in the fall as Matilija's principal while retaining his assistant superintendent duties. These moves still leave the district with one fewer administrator, saving $140,000, some $30,000 more than the earlier plan.

Baird replaces Dr. Van Riley, who, after three school years at the helm of the 3,950-student district, is leaving this month to head the Huntington Beach Unified High School District, with its 14,500 students. Baird will be paid $125,000 per year, with $5,000 raises in each of the first two years of his contract. Riley was paid $136,000 after two years, not including a tax-free $5,000 annuity.

Becker's vacancy as principal of Summit and San Antonio Elementary schools will be advertised "and I hope to have a new administrator on board there as soon as possible,' Baird wrote.

Board member Bob Unruhe said the OUSD board was pleased to be able to hire Baird as quickly as it did, within two weeks of Riley giving notice earlier this month. "I'm satisfied that we have a well-qualified person, who will do a good job. The district has real problems facing it, but we have an excellent staff and he (Baird) will have full board support on his plans."

Some of those plans have already been announced, such as a new seventh-grade program at Topa Topa Elementary School, which will emphasize environmental studies, service learning and outdoor exploration. Others are still in the works, such as developing specific "school of choice" courses at other district schools, similar to the magnet school concept, and a language immersion course.

Dealing with declining budgets and enrollments are priorities, Baird acknowledged. "We're hoping to stabilize the enrollment drop," he said, through transfer agreements with Ventura Unified School District, and through "innovative programs to provide the options parents want.
"I'm very optimistic," Baird said. "Things are off to a good start. We have a great staff and wonderful schools."

© 2003 The Ojai Valley News

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