Starting next school year, Paton-Churdan and Glidden-Ralston school districts will share a superintendent. Both boards approved the sharing agreement was approved by both boards during its regular monthly meetings in November.

For Paton-Churdan having a shared superintendent is nothing new, but for Glidden-Ralston, they will be heading into uncharted waters.  Current Paton-Churdan Superintendent Leonard Griffith is considered a full-time superintendent but is in the district’s office two days a week.  He says that Paton-Churdan has worked with a shared superintendent for 10 years and its a standard situation with other school districts.

“It’s a way to save money, your superintendent is a very high cost position.  And if you can share that cost with another district, and get an equal job done, then it’s a no-brainer.”

There are four primary benefits by sharing a superintendent.  One key advantage is stronger communication.  The superintendent would easily be accessible to by phone or e-mail.  Since Churdan and Glidden are 25 miles apart, the superintendent could be in either place quickly.

Another benefit is the flexibility to coordinate resources and sharing opportunities.  Having one administrator handling day-to-day functions like sharing buses and teachers would be less strain.

The last two advantages would be to attend meetings and conferences on a regular basis and being efficient.  A shared superintendent would have to fill out state and policy paperwork once which means more would get done.

The agreement between to two districts puts Glidden-Ralston in charge of hiring the new superintendent.  The school has hired G. Tryon and Associates of Johnston for the application process.