High School Cuts Athletic Director Position Amid Budget Crunch

A Washington school district has decided to do away with its athletic director position as part of cost-saving measures. 

According to KLEW, Pullman High School athletic director Wendy Kruger will be laid off on July 1, as the school board navigates financial challenges. 

Kruger has served as athletic director for Pullman for four years. Her duties will be reassigned to an assistant high school principal role. 

Kruger was honored this week with the Washington Secondary School Athletic Administrations Association’s AD Service Award.  She received the award at the group’s annual conference in the Tri-Cities. The statewide honor recognizes an AD for their hard work and significant contributions for their school.

The move terminate Kruger's position has garnered criticism from many Pullman School District families who will have a chance to voice their concerns when the school board convenes tonight at 6:30 at the high school.  

Pullman Schools Superintendent Dr. Bob Maxwell provided a budget update to the community in his monthly newsletter in May of last year, saying the district’s revenue is down nearly one million dollars due to dropping enrollment. There were 78 fewer students in Pullman Schools last year than what was budgeted. At the time, Pullman Schools were also experiencing about 900,000 dollars in increased costs for insurance and utilities.