Superintendent Attila Weninger

By Jacob Mathias

Stevens Point Area School District Superintendent Attila Weninger said at Monday’s school board meeting that applications were received for a vacant position on the school board and two on district staff.

The position of director of elementary education has been applied for and a preliminary interview given. The position of director of human resources has two upcoming interviews for recent applicants.

An application has also been received for the position of school board secretary, a position recently vacated by Barb Portzen who resigned citing alleged mistreatment by some board members.
The lack of applicants has been speculated because of press reports of Portzen’s alleged mistreatment as well as other board activity, according to a report by Weninger.

“It’s people saying that they may have been interested in the position, but given the press surrounding the board in the last several months as well as the recent press regarding the exit of the former board secretary that they weren’t interested,” said Weninger.

“I believe that the negativity the former secretary did was disserving for our board,” said board member Kim Shirek.

According to Weninger, the interview for board secretary will take place his week.

“Sarah O’Donnell, my assistant and PR coordinator for the district has agreed to temporarily be the minute- taker for the board,” said Weninger. “And Karen Phillip, the administrative assistant from student services has agreed to also be trained so that when we do get a full time board secretary, if we have an absence, we’ll have people that will be able to step in.”