WARREN – More than a dozen people have expressed interest in the SAD 40 business manager’s position, which has been retooled in light of the district’s recent budget woes.

By Thursday, the administrative office had received 13 complete applications for the full-time job, according to a report by interim Superintendent H. Graham Nye.

The title was recently changed to business manager from director of operations. The previous employee was paid $55,000 per year, but the pay is negotiable.

SAD 40 comprises Warren, Waldoboro, Union, Friendship and Washington.

The deadline for applying is Saturday.

Director of Operations Richard Lash resigned earlier this month, citing unwarranted criticism by the public during the past year over finances.

In March 2003, Superintendent William Doughty resigned after directors discovered he had failed to inform them of a nearly $400,000 shortfall in that year’s budget.

Before leaving his post, Lash said he knew the 2003 budget had been overspent, but said Doughty was responsible for informing the board.

When Lash was initially hired six years ago, his duties included buildings, grounds and maintenance, transportation, construction, student health services, affirmative action and finance. Doughty took over the financial duties when he became superintendent.

Lash supported creating a director of finance position, keeping it separate from director of operations.

A new job description for business manager, developed by the policy committee, however, encompasses multiple responsibilities, including finance.

The district decided to revise the job description when a state Department of Education inspection team recommended the hiring of a “qualified” business manager.

After an inspection of all district operations in June, the state pulled the district’s “approved” rating, changing it to a “provisional” status. In the state’s report, most of the problems cited were in finance.

A SAD 40 team composed of former district business manager Jeff Evangelos; Michael Ashmore, director of instruction; finance committee Chairwoman Beth Connor; and Superintendent Nye is expected to begin reviewing the applications next week.