Activities director may leave in spring

By Matthew Ryno / News Republic

Despite excellent performance reviews and praise from colleagues, the Baraboo School District's activities director may be leaving the district at the end of the latest school year because he is not living within the district's boundaries.

Because he is unable to relocate in time, Activities Director Aaron Andres said he thinks he will face termination. The Baraboo School Board decided recently Andres is not fulfilling the Baraboo residency requirement he was required to meet by July, about one year after he was hired as activities director.

Andres currently lives in Merrimac with his wife and two children. He said because of the economy, his house will be difficult to sell in the required time without losing money. He also said he did not want to leave his family to work in Baraboo.

"I asked to board to understand my family is No. 1 for me and my job second. I'm disappointed the board is making decisions about my finances for me," Andres said.

Andres recently learned about the board's decision after talking with the district's interim superintendent, Crystal Ritzenthaler. Andres said the way he understands it, he has two weeks to choose to move within district boundaries, resign or be terminated. Any resignation or termination would take effect at the end of the school year, he said.

Baraboo School District Board President Kevin Vodak said there may be a communication between Andres and the School Board. He also said a letter was sent from the School Board clarifying their decision and possible options, though Andres said he has not received it yet.

Vodak said the board has only begun a "preliminary step," in an official process — and faster, more formal methods of proceeding could have been used instead if the board had wanted. He also said Andres has not yet formally requested an extension of the relocation deadline.

"I'd like to express my desire that he remain in the district," Vodak said. "There are options on the table. I'm not in a position to speak for the board, but I think any attempt or effort or good-faith showing that he has the home on the market - trying to move towards the goal of residency (in Baraboo) — as a board member, that would carry weight for me."

Andres said he was surprised to hear that making an effort to move might make a difference. Chalking it up to miscommunication, he said he hopes he will hear from School Board members to work things out.

"I had a plan I laid out for them that I thought was sufficient and I'm working with a local Realtor. I don't know what would satisfy this good faith requirement," Andres said.

According to Ritzenthaler, Andres has been a good asset to the district. These words were echoed by Baraboo High School principal Machell Schwarz.

Schwarz, who also wrote Andres' performance reviews, said, "I think he's done an excellent job for us. Athletics is truly his passion."

Schwarz said after teaching math at the high school for about 10 years, Andres took on the role of activities director and successfully integrated mandatory workouts into the curriculum, started up a summer fitness program, and put all the school's activities under one code of conduct similar to one commonly used by school athletes.