The Cherokee County School District said it will save nearly $20,000 by hiring a maintenance supervisor.

Interim superintendent Kim Bagwell has recommended the school board hire Johnson Controls employee Jeff Willis to become the maintenance supervisor.

Willis, who works at Timken, will earn a salary of $59,000. John Burchstead received a salary of $76,000 as district maintenance director for the 2009-2010 school year.

Burchstead was among several people who interviewed for the maintenance supervisor position, Bagwell said Thursday. Burchstead has retired following 21 years in the Cherokee County School District.

The interviews for the maintenance supervisor position were done by Bagwell and assistant superintendent Dr. Carlotta Redish. The school board will have to approve Willis’ hiring before it becomes official. The next board meeting is scheduled for August.

The district eliminated director positions in the maintenance and food service departments in this year’s budget for financial reasons, Bagwell said. The school board approved a $56.1 million budget in June, which is $6 million less than the operating budget for the 2008-2009 school year.

The district saved a $66,948 salary when it eliminated the position of food service director Roland Cabading.

Cabading was replaced by assistant Diane Cooper, who will supervise the food service program this year. Bagwell said Cooper did not receive a raise for the additional duties.

“We will need to take a look at more cost savings measures this year because our financial situation could get worse,” Bagwell said.