The changing of the guard for Tacoma Public Schools was completed Thursday, as two new school board members took an oath of office and Carla Santorno was designated to serve as secretary to the board – part of her new role as interim superintendent that starts in January.
The board members, small-business owner Scott Heinze and former Tacoma Mayor Karen Vialle, were elected to six-year terms in November.
Board members and others thanked departing board members Kim Golding and Jim Dugan for their six years of service.
“I’ve felt tremendous support from the two of you,” Superintendent Art Jarvis said. “You helped us through some difficult times, and you both encouraged risk-taking.”
Santorno, the district’s deputy superintendent since 2009, assumes the title of superintendent-elect (interim) Jan. 1. She will hold that title from January through June, serving alongside Jarvis, who retires at the end of June. He has been asked to represent Tacoma Public Schools during the Legislative session, beginning in January.
In July, Santorno will become interim superintendent, a position she’ll hold for one year. Board members have not yet determined happen after that.
Thursday’s designation of Santorno as board secretary allows her to function in effect as the district’s superintendent, with Jarvis delegating duties to her. Among them: preparing meeting agendas and public notices, filing reports with state and federal officials, signing financial documents and carrying out other duties required by law.
The board also chose new officers for the coming year. Catherine-Ushka Hall will serve as president of the board, and Debbie Winskill will be vice president.
Among the issues Santorno and her new board will face: how to repair relations between the school district and its teachers following an eight-day teacher strike in September, and how to deal with more state budget cuts.
Board members heard a budget update Thursday that showed the district had 112 fewer staff members in November compared with November 2010. That includes 77 fewer employees who hold teaching certificates (although not all are classroom teachers) and 35 fewer non-teaching employees.
Debbie Cafazzo: 253-597-8635
debbie.cafazzo@thenewstribune.com
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