Superintendent Gets One Year Extension

Photo: After a high turnout, district leaders opted to relocate the School Board meeting from the small boardroom at Bliss Educational Center to Ben Franklin Junior High, just down the street. (City-Times photo)

By Donnelly Clare

The Stevens Point School Board has decided to renew Superintendent Attila Weninger’s contract for one more year, with the board retaining it’s common 5-4 split.

The vote came after midnight Monday, as dozens of teachers applauded when teacher’s union representative Glen Reindl called for a vote of no confidence.

“We have no confidence in the superintendent’s ability to lead this district,” Reindl said.

Talks between the teacher’s union and district officials have been contentious at best and Stevens Point teachers continue to work without a contract in place since the 2011-12 school year. Union leaders say they’ve been unable to hash out compromises on salary and working hours, and have accused Weninger of bullying and disrespect during negotiations.

Weninger said the district has had to make hard choices in the face of financial problems.

“We will work very hard on communication amongst all sectors of the district that will help improve staff morale,” Weninger said. “…The work of the last three years has put us in a financial situation to be able to develop fair and sustainable wages and benefits for our employees.”

Board Members Terry Rothmann, Bob Larson, Christina Scott, Jeff Ebel and Jeff Presley voted in favor of renewing the contract. Angel Faxon, Kim Shirek, Renae Sheibley and Lisa Totten voted against.