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Man behind massive school changes to retire

JANESVILLE — A key player in the modernization of Janesville's public schools announced his impending retirement Friday.

Doug Bunton, director of business services, will retire in June after 22 1/2 years in that post. Superintendent Tom Evert will retire around the same time.

Evert noted that the district's central office is undergoing an efficiency study. He said Bunton's announcement gives the board an opportunity to consider how the district's administration might be restructured.

Bunton oversaw tens of millions of dollars in referendum spending to expand, renovate or build new schools starting in the early 1990s.

Only one district school building—Edison Middle School—was not improved by a referendum project during Bunton's tenure. The changes were driven by aging mechanical systems but also by the changing ways that teachers teach, Bunton said.

The referendums often were controversial and sometimes had to be altered for a second vote before voters would approve them.

Bunton was often tasked with facing residents' pointed questions. He said he felt it was his duty to inform the public of what the administration saw as genuine needs.

Bunton's last referendum was at the time the most expensive school construction bond issue in state history. It led to the current high school projects.

"Doug poured all his time and energy into communicating with citizens on this," Evert said. "He deserves a tremendous amount of credit for making sure generations of students and staff will have a great place in which to learn and work."

Bunton also oversaw a referendum project that wired schools for the Internet and massively increased the number of computers for students and staff in the late 1990s.

"One of the reasons I enjoyed being here so much is dealing with all the change and helping to manage it," Bunton said.

Bunton shepherded the district through the changes in the state's school-financing system in the early 1990s. School board members through the years frequently complimented the administration for its financial management.

"Doug deserves tremendous credit for the high level of credibility which has existed between the board and the administration regarding financial matters," Evert said. "He has been the heart and soul of creating an environment of trust and openness. He was always patient, always willing to take the time to answer citizen, board and staff-member questions."

Bunton oversaw the district's response to a damaging computer virus this fall. He said that made the thought of retiring more difficult because he did not want to leave a problem behind.

However, the computer network is now on its way to becoming stronger than ever, which eases that concern, Bunton said.

Bunton's wife, Kathy, was a teacher in the Milton School District until she retired last year. The couple have been targeting 2009 for Doug's retirement for many years, he said.

Bunton came to Janesville after being a teacher and administrator at smaller districts in Illinois. Evert said Bunton and former Superintendent Don Mrdjenovich put together a 10-year facilities plan in the late 1980s, a plan that led to a wave of referendums.

"I really credit the school boards over the years for the foresight for being active participants in long-range planning," Bunton said.

A second 10-year plan is coming to an end, and the school board might want to consider whether it wants a third one, Evert said.

ON THE AGENDA

The Janesville City Council will meet at 7 p.m. Monday in City Hall, 18 N. Jackson St.

Items on the agenda include:

-- A presentation on poverty in Janesville.

-- Action on a request from New Life Assembly of God Church, 2416 N. Wright Road, to spread an assessment over the next 10 years with interest because of the downturn in the economy. In 2005, the church had $23,253 in assessments levied against their property and put on a 5-year payment plan. In 2008, the church was billed for $12,689 in land division assessments and for a lateral for $5,317, leaving the total amount of assessments outstanding at $27,308. The church is asking to spread this amount over the next 10 years with an annual principal payment of $2,730. Council members have the ability to grant a 10-year financial hardship.

-- Action on a resolution accepting the transfer of cemetery property and trust funds from the Board of Trustees of Oak Hill Cemetery Association.