05/09/2006

Suttons Bay talks to TCAPS

by christine finger

cfinger@record-eagle.com

SUTTONS BAY — A Traverse City school administrator likely will serve as interim superintendent for Suttons Bay Public Schools, but leaders from both districts said talk of annexation or consolidation is premature.

Suttons Bay school board members were expected to vote Monday night on a contract with Jim Leyndyke, athletic director for Traverse City Area Public Schools, to fill the vacancy left in April when former superintendent Tom Harwood left for a new job.

Steve Hall, Suttons Bay board president, said the district has enough money to hire a superintendent to work two and a half days each week. If the board approved Leyndyke's contract Monday, he'd likely start immediately and continue through the 2006-07 school year, he said.

Superintendent James Feil said Leyndyke's work with Suttons Bay will have minimal impact on his duties for TCAPS. Leyndyke does not work for TCAPS during the summer, and the district also has two part-time athletic directors. TCAPS would bill Suttons Bay for the time Leyndyke works for them.

"That's something that we feel is doable," Feil said.

Representatives from Traverse City and Suttons Bay met last week to talk about ways the districts might collaborate to reduce operation costs and boost efficiency.

That meeting, along with news about Leyndyke serving as interim superintendent in Suttons Bay, fueled public concerns that the districts are considering consolidation or annexation in the near future.

Feil said Suttons Bay has shared information with TCAPS about its budget and operations, but merging has not emerged as an option.

"I think it's premature to say that's in the sights of the people involved," he said.

Hall predicted that Suttons Bay is more likely to contract with Traverse City for resources like transportation and facilities management.

Hall said Leyndyke's background as a former superintendent and his interest in helping Leelanau County districts collaborate make him a good fit for the job. His ties to both districts will also help Suttons Bay and Traverse City school leaders outline a long-range plan for future cooperation.

"This is one of those good first steps," Hall said.