Axing Administrator Post Saves Elmbrook $93K

Not only will restructuring human resources administration save Elmbrook School District about $93,000 a year, but it could be a carrot to keep a key administrator from being stolen away by another school district, a leader said.

Superintendent Matt Gibson said he would hate to lose Keith Brightman, assistant superintendent for finance and operations, who has been recruited by other districts. Brightman has declined and wants to stay at Elmbrook, he added.

The Waukesha School District did succeed in recruiting , Elmbrook's assistant superintendent for human resources, to take a similar post for Waukesha starting July 1.

Gibson said his initial desire — and other Elmbrook adminstrators agreed with him — was that Hedstrom's post should be replaced. He thought Elmbrook should continue to have three assistant superintendents: finance and operations, educational services, and human resources.

But after failing to find the right candidate in 11 screened applicants and three interviewed finalists, Gibson said he continued to brainstorm with Brightman and Kristi Foy, Elmbrook's human resources staff counsel.

to eliminate the assistant superintendent for human resources post; add human resources to Brightman's title and supervisory duties; create a new post of director of human resources and staff counsel for Foy; and other restructuring moves, including hiring a 30-hour-a-week assistant controller.

Foy agreed to do it, if she could work a four-day week expandable to five days. She will report to Brightman.

After Foy's pay and benefits is boosted to $97,300 and Brightman's to $130,780, the net effect will be a $93,400 annual district savings.

The plan was unanimously approved Tuesday night by School Board members who heaped praise on Brightman and Foy for their work during a difficult time with unprecedented school funding and collective bargaining changes.

"They're irreplaceable," School Board member Meg Wartman said of the two.

Board President Tom Gehl said Brightman's new salary was a "significant increase" and "a lot of money." But he added, "I'm very comfortable with it.... Every pitch we've thrown at Keith in the last 2 1/2 years, he's hit."

School Board member Glen Allgaier Brightman had "big shoes" to fill after being hired to replace Bob Borch, who held that assistant superintendent post for 22 years.

Gibson said Elmbrook reviewed comparable school districts and calculated Brightman's increased salary at 75 percent of the top comparable salary.

Gehl and board member Dick Brunner said they favored making the administrative team leaner and flatter.