Francis Howell deans could receive new titles, duties

By Raymond Castile
rcastile@yourjournal.com

The Francis Howell deans have survived one round of budget cuts, though their titles and duties might change.

After a long and contentious debate Thursday night, the Board of Education voted 4-3 to retain the district’s six high school deans, but with conditions. The schools will maintain six equivalent positions, but the district administration must develop new titles and job descriptions to submit for board approval. The individuals currently employed as deans will fill those six positions.

Deans perform administrative duties, but are paid through teacher contracts. There are two in each of the district’s three high schools. They handle discipline and work with at-risk students.

Board member Terry Black crafted the motion preserving the positions after disagreeing with board President Mark Lafata, who said last month he wanted to eliminate all six deans to reduce the district’s deficit by $400,000.