When the Suttons Bay and Glen Lake school districts came to an agreement last May to share a single supervisor, there was hope that the new arrangement would save the hard-pressed districts a little money.

Now they have to begin the process of finding a new solution, even as they face substantial deficits projected for the 2006-2007 school year, says this article in the Enterprise. The two boards had expected, based on statements made by Tom Harwood, that he planned to stay in the position for the long term. However the draw of a downstate position closer to his family proved irresistible.

Both districts, like others in our area as well, are in a tough position, facing substantial budget deficits in the years to come. The arrangement with Harwood was not a solution to the problem--the amount saved was relatively small compared to the total deficits, and it may be that a similar arrangement can be reached with a future candidate--but it doesn't help the districts to lose their joint supervisor just when they need to make some tough decisions.