Dexter Community Schools Plan Restructuring of Athletics and Community Services Department

A proposal to revert Dexter Community Schools' Athletics and Community Services Department back into two separate entities is under consideration by the Board of Education.

Sean Burton, executive director of Support Services, presented the board with a plan for moving forward with restructuring the department at the board's meeting on Monday.

"I've spent a lot of time meeting with various stakeholder groups, the Athletic Booster Club of Dexter, student athletes, and coaches to gather as much information as I could about athletics and community education combined," Burton told the board. "What I'm finding is a lot of systems aren't operating as fully as they could be."

The district transitioned to a single department two years ago as a cost savings measure, however since then the department has been plagued with disorganization coupled with the earlier this year.

Burton is proposing that the district dissolve the current department in favor of a similar structure the district used prior to 2010, with two separate departments under the leadership of an athletic director and a community education director. In addition he would also like to see the district hire an aquatics coordinator, lead lifeguard, and a First Steps manager.

"There are fundamental issues that need to be resolved, but we can't do that without the proper leadership in place," he said.

Some of those issues include the need to hire more coaches, competing fundraisers among sports teams, and lack of coordination with the Transportation Department for out of town games.

"There isn't just one big problem, but all these little problems begin to add up," he said.

On the Community Education front, Burton said he would like to see a director refocus the department's mission and vision with the public.

"We want to make sure we are giving the public the programs that they want," Burton said.

The plan could save the district between $15,000-$20,000 annually.

Board President Larry Cobler asked if the two departments would still .

"Self sufficiency is a grand goal and something we can strive for, but it will take us awhile to get there," Burton said. "I don't think that should be a primary focus until we have both departments fixed and running smoothly operationally.

"In my opinion we need to get our houses in order this year. As it stands, the Athletics and Community Services Department does not have the highest level of confidence from our community."