JON BURKE
By: Jesse Davis
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jesse@thevillagereporter.com
The Pike-Delta-York Local School District will soon begin the search for a new superintendent after Jon Burke tendered his resignation during the school board’s meeting Wednesday morning.
Burke told the members of the board that he has accepted a new position as the high school principal at Anthony Wayne Local Schools.
He applied for the position in mid-May and was officially offered the position on June 2, with a starting date of August 1. His last day at Delta will be July 31.
“I live in Whitehouse, and my three boys currently attend Anthony Wayne Schools,” Burke said in a written statement. This has been an extremely difficult decision, but ultimately I have to do what is best for me personally and professionally.”
“I am proud of the work we’ve all accomplished at PDY Schools, and I’m sad to leave the wonderful staff and students I’ve had the pleasure or working with.”
“PDY Schools is one of the premier districts in northwest Ohio and I take great pride in leading this district. I will be working closely with our board to ensure a smooth transition for the next superintendent.”
In response to requests for comment on Burke’s departure, the board decided to give a joint statement, provided by Board President Jackie Chiesa.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to Jon Burke for his dedicated service as Superintendent of the Pike-Delta-York School District over the past two years. During his tenure, he was a valued partner to the PDY Board of Education, administrators, staff, students, and the broader community.”
“While his resignation is met with mixed emotions, we are grateful for his contributions and wish him continued success in his future endeavors.”
On May 29 – just four days before Burke was offered the job and six before he announced his resignation – Burke’s performance evaluation along with that of the treasurer were completed during the executive session of a special meeting scheduled for that purpose.
According to Burke, the possibility of his being offered the position was discussed during his review, but he said the evaluation itself had no direct impact on his decision.
The board’s statement failed to provide an answer to a question posed to board members as to whether or not they intended to extend Burke’s contract at the end of the next school year, when it was set to expire.
“I didn’t get the sense that the board was ready to move forward on renewing my contract,” Burke said.
According to Burke, the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center will be assisting in the search for a new superintendent, with the job posting going up immediately and consideration for an interim position likely.
The board voted unanimously to accept Burke’s resignation, and ended the meeting by going into executive session to discuss their plans for his replacement.
OTHER BUSINESS
Burke reported the Ohio Senate passed its budget bill, which included a greater level of school funding than the House bill while still falling short of what was provided under the Fair School Funding Plan.
He said it also included a cap on school districts’ cash carryover balances of 50 percent of its annual budget before its ability to levy taxes is affected, compared to a cap of just 30 percent in the House version.
The board approved a group of financial transfers and advances in order to allow for the year’s books to be closed.
The board voted to amend the central office salary schedule to increase the salary of the food service supervisor from the low $40,000s to the mid-$60,000s.
The action, which closed a growing gap as the impact of increases in pay for the position lagged behind other positions with the school, was made with an eye to recruitment rather than retention as the person currently in that role is expected to be retiring soon.
The board approved a salary adjustment for an employee due to that employee completing a master’s degree.
The next regular meeting of the Pike-Delta-York Local School District Board of Education will be held at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, June 25, at the board’s offices, located at 504 Fernwood Street in Delta.