Hattrick reflects on ‘challenging’ but ‘rewarding’ year as lead administrator; 27 cuts planned for ‘25-26, 3.75 this school year

By Holly Dillemuth, Ashland.news

Ashland School Board members recently voted to approve a one-year extension for Ashland Superintendent Joseph Hattrick, following an eventful first year in the role.

Along with the extension of his position, it was also announced recently that Ashland High School has launched a search for a new principal after Principal Benjamin Bell announced he is stepping down from the role after five years.

“Principal Bell will not be returning next year and we thank him for his service and wish him well in his future endeavors,” Hattrick told school board members during his end-of-year superintendent’s report during the district board meeting June 12. 

Hattrick, who started in his superintendent role July 1, 2024, initially was approved for a contract through June 30, 2027. The one-year extension extends his contract to June 30, 2028. 

Hattrick’s contract called for a basic annual salary rate of $193,000 for the 2024-25 contract year (July 1 through June 30). Any increase for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 contract years would be the same percentage increase provided to other administrative employees of the district, if any, according to the contract.

Hattrick outlined highlights of his first year in the role at the June 12 board meeting. During his end-of-year superintendent’s report, Hattrick highlighted the school year’s challenges, including facing a budget shortfall that ultimately ended with $3.5 million in savings to the district.

The school board adopted the 2025-26 $90,721,059 budget in early June, which he noted was built with 3% reserves and $2 million in contingency funding. The overall budget includes special funds such as capital projects ($10,461,524), in addition to the core General Fund appropriation of $51,596,975 used to fund the district’s day-to-day operations.

Hattrick praised the district’s use of the $10 million Tax Anticipation Note (TAN) loan, of which they utilized $5.12 million, an amount that allowed the district to operate this spring without a cash shortfall. 

The “Full Faith and credit loan” was approved for up to $10 million in March by the Ashland School Board, according to Rogue Valley Times.

Hattrick said in December he was originally looking at furloughs up to 13 school days back in December, as well as a mid-year reduction in staff, which would have amounted to about $900,000, but avoided those cuts, saving $2,229,000 for the 2024-25 school year, according to Rogue Valley Times.

The bonds are not general obligations of the district, and neither the authorization nor issuance of the bonds authorize the district to levy any taxes outside of the limitations of Sections 11 or 11b of Article XI of the Oregon Constitution, according to a previous story by Rogue Valley Times. Bond proceeds are only able to be used to address cash flow needs and to pay costs of issuance. 

Asked to reflect on his first year in the role at a recent meeting, attendees were surprised to hear that Hattrick believes the past year has been his best as an administrator.

“I’ve had great experiences as an administrator,” Hattrick told school board members.

“This has been my most challenging year as an administrator, but absolutely the most rewarding.”

Hattrick noted the district, under his leadership, didn’t “shy away from the hard things.”

“I was tasked with addressing a budget shortfall that quickly became a budget crisis,” Hattrick said.

A total of 3.75 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions were reduced during the ‘24-25 school year, with 27 FTE reductions planned for ‘25-26, according to Hattrick’s restructuring presentation in April.

Hattrick said it became clear right away as the district moves into next year that it must look at how to “right-size,” something that he believes “should’ve been done long ago,” Hattrick said at a board meeting in April.  

“The primary history of why we’re in this position is overspending year-over-year, and it only worsened through and after the pandemic due to the ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency) funds being used, in great part on temporary staffing, which was incredibly necessary but not honoring the temporary status when funds went away, resulting in the district having unsustainable expenses.”

Hattrick said each FTE reduction does not necessarily represent the elimination of a full position.

The following reductions are part of the restructuring plan outlined for 2025-26 school year:

•  Ashland High School: 3.17 FTE reductions.

• Ashland Middle School: 6.43 FTE

•  Bellview Elementary: 2.08 FTE

•  Helman Elementary: 3.95 FTE

•  Walker Elementary: 1.78 FTE

•  Willow Wind: .975 FTE

•  TRAILS Outdoor School: 1.3 FTE

Hattrick described overseeing the reductions as “a painful task,” one that no leader wants to make.

“Together we made it through the hardest part of the storm and in the process, we laid a foundation for stability and growth,” he said.

“I want to honor the fact that in the wake of a challenging year there remain some staff that had their FTE modified, their position eliminated or positions changed, which breaks my heart,” he added. I only hope that through stabilization and right-sizing that we’ll be able to see our colleagues back in the future, but without the fear of instability.”

Hattrick described the district as “energized” going into the next school year, despite more  challenges that lie ahead in the coming school year.

“We’re on the path back to becoming the best district in the state,” Hattrick said, “and we’re doing it with a renewed focus. We’re prepared to launch a strategic planning process, one that will keep us aligned and moving forward together.”

Email Ashland.news staff reporter Holly Dillemuth at hollyd@ashland.news.