Faced with declining enrollment and early predictions of significant statewide reductions in education funding, the Lopez School District has determined that the position of superintendent should be reduced to half-time, as a cost saving measure, beginning with the 2009-10 school year.

The Lopez School Board, Superintendent Bill Evans, and district officials met December 2 for a public work session and discussed the upcoming potential revenue reductions. Working from a list of consensus-determined assumptions that included a strong commitment to keeping the effect of budget cuts as far away from students and classrooms as possible, the board reviewed possible administrative staffing reductions presented by the superintendent.

It was determined that, while a difficult decision to make, the reduction of the superintendent position would be have the least direct impact upon students and classrooms.

The district leadership for 2009-10 will now include a part-time superintendent and a full time K-12 principal.

In a separate action, Superintendent Bill Evans announced he would be retiring at the end of the school year to apply for the new part-time superintendent position as a retire/rehire candidate. The Lopez District has historically considered retired candidates in its ongoing efforts to hire qualified professionals for its vacancies, and has an official policy and procedures in place to guide its hiring process.

“I love this school district and the Lopez community,” said Superintendent Evans, “and I want to do what is best for our students. If the opportunity to continue to serve is afforded me, that would be terrific.”