District 113A Hires New Business Manager, Approves Administrative Salary Freeze

A new business manager and treasurer was appointed to serve  for the 2011-2012 school year.

During a special meeting Tuesday night, the District 113A Board of Education unanimously approved the hiring of Barbara Germany, who will begin her duties July 1.

She replaces Jay Tovian, the district's current interim business manager and treasurer. Tovian will mentor Germany for the first part of the school year to ensure a smooth transition of duties, according to a news release.

Germany comes to District 113A from Mokena School District 159, where she was the business manager and treasurer for the the past year. She also served 11 years as the administrative assistant to the District 159 superintendent, the release said.

She has a bachelor's degree in accounting from DePaul University, a master's degree in school administration from Governors State University and an MBA from St. Xavier University. She also has chief school business official certification from the state of Illinois.

"We are excited to find such an experienced school professional for our district," District 113A Supt. Tim Ricker said in the release. "Her references were glowing, and she has the knowledge and experience needed to continue our progress in meeting the financial obligations set forth in our state-approved financial plan."

Germany's salary for the 2011-2012 school year will be $86,190, Ricker said.

In other business, District 113A board members also approved all administrators' salaries for the upcoming school year. For the second year in a row, administrators have taken a voluntary salary freeze in order to help with district finances.

Two administrators' salaries were adjusted, however, because of duties assumed by the creation of two new positions.

Pam Mazurek, the district's former director of transportation, will be the new director of operations—a position that combines her old position with the director of buildings and grounds position that was vacated by Rich Batka, who resigned to take a job in another district.

Steve Davis will be the new director of technology for District 113A. The position combines his duties as the district's former network specialist with the instructional technology job vacated by Carin Pascazio, who retired this year.

Additionally, the end of the school year also saw the retirement of Old Quarry Middle School Assistant Principal Jan Collins and the resignation of Central School Principal Gina Rodewald.

According to Ricker, the hiring and salary adjustments for the 2011-2012 school year will result in an estimated $245,000 in cuts or savings.

District 113A board members also approved salaries for non-affiliated employees, or those who are not part of a labor union. Those employees, which include administrative assistants and nurses, also took a salary freeze for the second year in a row.

The district cut one nurse for the upcoming school year, resulting in an estimated savings of $34,225, according to Ricker.

"We are glad to get these fine individuals under contract and in place for next year," Ricker said. "These experienced leaders have helped the district keep moving forward, and their loyalty and hard work has helped us to stay afloat."