USD 457 hires former Scott City superintendent

July 17--A permanent replacement has been hired for the director of transportation position at USD 457 as Bill Wilson, former superintendent of Scott County USD 466, took the reins on July 1.

"From what I've seen and experienced thus far in the two and a half weeks in 457, good people, good place," Wilson said.

Wilson resigned his most recent post as superintendent of USD 466 in June, after facing a great deal of criticism from the Scott City community about that school district's recent $1.1 million budget shortfall, which ultimately resulted in draining the district's cash reserves to meet 2013-14 financial obligations. At USD 466's May 1 board meeting, the board cut another $705,000 for the 2014-15 school year. Those cuts included elimination of teaching positions, a district-wide pay cut of 2 percent and a reduction in health care benefits.

Wilson said he learned a lot from the experience.

"I think you live and learn through everything you do and, if not, you're going to be in trouble. The Scott City experience was a good one. I guess I don't look at it as a bad experience. The issues that we had or the problem that arose, at this point, all things being consistent, appears that it will be corrected within two years and Scott City will be right back where they were," Wilson said. "And you control what you can control. I've got no shame in it. I have the burden of a mistake, but no shame in what happened, and I think those that know me know that everything I did, I did on behalf of the students, teachers and staff there."

As part of the hiring process at USD 457, applicants must provide at least three references, including one from a prior supervisor. Qualified applicants are then interviewed by an interview team. In Wilson's case, this team was made up of USD 457 Superintendent Rick Atha, Deputy Superintendent Steve Karlin, and the district's Chief Financial Officer KJ Knoll, who then made their recommendation to the USD 457Board of Education.

The board approved Wilson's hiring at its June 16 meeting.

Karlin said all of Wilson's references were good, including his most recent employer, USD 466.

"There was a reference from a Scott City school board member that we would consider a positive reference," Karlin said.

When asked if the budget shortfall encountered at USD 466 was a concern in hiring Wilson, Atha said the transportation department's budget is predetermined, and the director of that department has to work within the parameters of that budget.

"Building a budget as a superintendent for a school district is a lot different than working within the parameters of a budget as a transportation director. The oversight for that budget is KJ Knoll, as the chief financial officer of this school district, and me, but primarily KJ, so she knows exactly what's being spent out of every line item," Atha said, adding that there are a lot of checks and balances.

Through the district's budgeting process, community members also are involved in decisions pertaining to the budget.

"Things are designed so that there is a lot of input into what makes up that budget and how that budget is defined. So he (Wilson) will definitely have input, but it's not autonomous," Knoll said.

Atha said the goal of the district is always to hire the best person for the job, and that, in this case, was Wilson.

The following is a statement from USD 457 regarding Wilson's hiring: Bill Wilson brings 22 years of experience as principal or superintendent to his new role. He will be responsible for the management of operations in the transportation department in accordance with federal, state and local regulations and USD 457 policies. Wilson's previous leadership experience and qualifications include oversight of school transportation. His duties will include daily interaction with students, staff, parents and community members.

There were 12 other applicants for the position, five of whom were interviewed. And of those five, Atha said, Wilson stood out.

"When we went through the interview process and after checking references, he rose to be the best candidate, and therefore he was recommended and approved by the board of education to assume that position," Atha said. "I'm excited about having Bill Wilson here as part of our district. I think he's excited about being here and assuming the role of director of transportation."

Wilson was the superintendent of USD 466 from 2011 to 2014. Prior to that, he was the superintendent and elementary principal in Greeley County from 2003 to 2011. He also has experience as a secondary principal. He started his career in education as a sixth-grade teacher.

Wilson has a bachelor's degree in English and a teaching certificate, a master's degree in administration from Western Washington University, and has his district-level administrator endorsement. He is finishing his doctorate in educational leadership through Southwestern College.

The base salary for the transportation director position is $76,590, with additional compensation provided based on years of experience and education level. The salary schedule also includes: employer fringe benefit (health insurance), vacation, sick, personal, and nonduty days. It also includes a mileage stipend, telephone allowance and employer provided 403(b). Wilson's total compensation is $97,850.

Wilson is excited about the opportunity to work in USD 457.

"I've never been a part of a district the size of Garden City and transporting possibly as many as 3,500 kids a day," Wilson said. "I've got some quality people to work with, and I think we'll do good things. I'm excited for the challenge and think I'm ready for it and have great support above and below and around me and ready to keep pushing forward."

Wilson is filling the role vacated by Phil Keidel, who served as the interim transportation director from September 2013 to this past spring, after former director Michelle Irsik resigned from her position on Sept. 6 after six years of service.

Keidel resigned the position this spring and recently accepted a position as principal of Gertrude Walker Elementary School that was vacated by Alberto Carrillo.

Atha said that Keidel was given the opportunity to try the position, and that he did an excellent job, but that he wanted to get back to working more directly with students.

The superintendent position at USD 466 recently was filled by Jamie Rumford.

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