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Superintendent, principals retiring
After 32 years with USD 234, Rick Werling has announced his plans to step down as superintendent and request early retirement effective at the end of his current contract on June 30.
"I have my health and I'm at retirement age," Werling said. "So it's the time to go."
Originally from Hill City, Kan., Werling started working in summer camps with children while he attended college at Concordia University in Seward, Neb. He earned his master's from Wichita State University and his doctorate from the University of Kansas. Superintendent since 2003, Werling joined the district as principal at Winfield Scott Elementary School and remained so for 13 years.
"I've just always been around children and all of a sudden there aren't going to be any," Werling said. "It will be a real change."
When he and his wife, Cathy, first moved to Fort Scott to work for USD 234 in 1980, they thought it would be a temporary stay.
"Only planned to stay a couple years but we just fell in love," Werling said.
While Cathy will continue to teach first grade at Winfield Scott Elementary, Werling said he plans on spending his extra time with family, especially his first grandchild.
"She lives in Kansas City and retirement will allow me more time with her," Werling said.
The school board received Werling's request for early retirement at their Feb. 13 meeting. Six others also submitted letters of resignation to the board including Sheryl Bloomfield, a Winfield Scott Elementary teacher; Debbie Miller, a special educator at Eugene Ware Elementary; Carol Davis, a teacher's aide at Fort Scott Middle School; Kathleen Norris, a custodian at Fort Scott Middle School; and Stephanie Grantham, a Fort Scott Middle School technology teacher.
An early retirement option, available to educators for more than 10 years, stipulates that those who fall between the ages of 55 and 64 can take early retirement. Those who opt to take advantage this are eligible to receive a $5,000 a year bonus that ends at the age of 64 for up to five years. Retirees are also able to remain on their school's insurance policy.
Board members describe the unusually high amount of letters received for retirement as sheer coincidence.
"We knew that this would happen some years," School Board president Janet Braun said. "They all just happened to be in that age group and have decided to take advantage of it. It's actually a good situation for the employee."
Board Secretary Connie Billionis, who has also been with the district for 30 years, said she'll be especially sad to see longtime Fort Scott Middle School Principal Barbara Albright go.
"It's going to be hard to see her go," said Billionis, who was Albright's former secretary. "I've never seen anyone who is so willing to give so much to the children."
Albright joins Werling as one of four administrators leaving their position. Last month, Winfield Scott Elementary Principal Billie Jo Drake and Penny Province, special education and testing coordinator, also sent in requests for early retirement.
Albright, a Fort Scott native who also grew up in the school system, joined the district as a secretary in 1968. A middle-level educator since 1984, Albright taught many subjects ranging from language arts to social studies. She's been FSMS principal since 1995.
"I can't say how much it really tears me up," Albright said. "I love the kids, the teachers, the faculty and staff members. It's been just great a ride for me and hopefully it's not completely over."
With a plan to continue substitute teaching, Albright said she hopes to stay involved in the community as much as possible following retirement.
The district is losing a lot of people, Billionis said.
"It's going to be a big turnover, but I'm excited to have new blood," Billionis said. "It will be great and I'm looking forward to it."
The Kansas Association of School Boards will be responsible for sifting through applications and conducting background searches on potential superintendent candidates before making recommendations to the local school board.
Collectively, the four retiring administrators' salaries total $305,938, which comes out of the general fund. Werling makes $101,359 annually; Albright makes $77,380; and Province, $61,270. Depending on where the new hires are on the pay scale, the retirement of top administrators could potentially mean good financial news for the district, Braun said.
Within the next month, a committee will likely be formed, Billionis said, to begin the search process to fill the other vacant spots. Ideally, administrators would like to have the process complete by May.
"It will be interesting to see what new ideas are brought in," Business Manager Tiffany Forester said. "I was just getting used to working with them, though, and I am going to be sad to see them go. It will definitely be a change."