Wayland Union Schools’ Finance Director Bill Melching has resigned.
Melching has served the district for six years, beginning in the 2010-11 academic year, when he succeeded Jim English. He was hired at a salary of a little more than $100,000 a year as director of finance and operations. His current salary is slightly less than $120,000 annually.
Wayland Schools Supt. Norm Taylor said, “Mr. Melching submitted his resignation letter for the purpose of retirement to me on Tuesday afternoon. Bill has been considering retirement for many months and due to family considerations, has decided to retire at the end of this September (this meets the 30 days notice stipulation provided in his contract). He has held the position of Director of Finance and Operations for our district for the past six years.
“In anticipation of his pending retirement, I have been working with the Michigan School Business Officials (MSBO) for several weeks on possible transition plans and conducting an independent review of our business office staffing and needs before we post for a replacement. I will also discuss this matter with our Board of Education Personnel Committee in the near future.
“Due to his many years of experience, Bill currently serves the dual roles of Director of Finance & Operations. In some districts, these roles are held by several individuals. This is something we will also be discussing prior to posting for a replacement. In the meantime, Bill will continue to fulfill his responsibilities along with our very capable and skilled business office staff. He will also make himself available to us later this fall to assist with any transition needs.
“We commend Mr. Melching for his dedicated service these past six years to our school district, students, staff, and families. He has implemented progressive systems and hired quality staff to provide for an efficient business office and a very stable financial position for Wayland Union Schools. We wish him all the best in his retirement.”
Some observers close to the situation said a disagreement over Melching’s proposal to farm out Wayland’s business services to another district may have played a role in his decision to leave.
Melching in July presented the Board of Education with a proposal for Wayland Union schools to provide business services Johannesburg-Lewiston school, but several board members expressed their opposition and concerns.
His idea was for three Wayland school district employees to offer business services on a contractual basis to outside school districts. Under the plan, Melching and Accounting Supervisor Michael Tanksley were to work for Johannesburg-Lewiston in northeastern Michigan for the equivalent of three days every two weeks and Amy Syers, accounting clerk, will continue to work for one day a week for the Allegan Area Educational Services Agency.
This arrangement for contracting business and business management services, Superintendent Norm Taylor said, will bring in about $27,000 to $28,000 to Wayland as a result.
The Wayland Board of Education was to be asked to approve a change in the three employees’ contracts, but not the contract for services with Johannesberg-Lewiston and the AAESA. Melching stood to make an extra $12,000, or 10 percent of his current salary.
Johannesburg-Lewiston is a drive of about two hours and 45 minutes away. Melching said Johannesburg-Lewiston will pay Wayland $44,000 for the contracted business services. Both he and Tanksley, who is an hourly employee, stand to make more money, but it results in more funds in Wayland’s coffers and it eliminates the need to lay off people in the future.
PHOTOS: Bill Melching
Supt. Norman Taylor presents Bill Melching with an award he won four years ago at a school board meeting four years ago.