Steve Cousins, superintendent of Traverse City Area Public Schools, has announced structural changes in its leadership effective July 1 – a move intended to increase accountability and performance measures relating to its strategic plan, including a greater focus on individualized learning opportunities.

Leading this change is the appointment of a district Chief of Schools, a position that will be filled by current principal of Westwoods Elementary School Sander Scott. He will oversee the day-to-day instructional operations of schools and supervise principals and school social workers, as well as the athletic and LEAP (Learning, Enrichment and Athletic Program) directors. Scott has nearly 20 years of experience in public education and is a graduate of Northport Public Schools.

Other administrative changes include:

-- Associate Superintendent of Quality Learning Development Dr. Jayne Mohr will add "creation of innovative academic programs and magnet/specialty schools" to her responsibilities. Cousins says TCAPS must increase the pace of creating such programs "if we are to survive long-term in a climate of shrinking, unreliable funding and increased competition for scarce resources."

-- The position of Director of Communications, Marketing and Volunteer Services will no longer serve as a member of the TCAPS Executive Team. The position will be renamed Chief Communications Officer serving as district spokesperson and overseeing marketing and communications.

-- Elimination of the Director of Professional Development, and one administrative assistant position from the Office of Quality Learning Development.

-- A new title for district COO/CFO Paul Soma: Associate Superintendent of Finance & Operations – which "better reflects" the work Soma has been doing for the past two years, Cousins says.

These coming changes will create a savings of approximately $46,000, but after some funds are directed to professional development the net savings will be in the $20,000-$30,000 range.