The Northport Board of Education unanimously approved the hiring of Timothy Smith Monday to be the district's technology coordinator at a special meeting Monday.

Board president Denise Branch said Smith’s hiring was recommended by Superintendent Tyrus Wessell. She added that Smith will be splitting time between Northport and Suttons Bay through a shared working arrangement. Northport will pay for a quarter of Smith’s salary, with Suttons Bay Public Schools paying the remaining 75 percent.

Branch said Smith has been doing similar work at Suttons Bay for a year. The board had directed Wessell to talk with the county’s other school superintendents and see if some sort of cooperative agreement could be worked out.

In its 2008-09 budget, the board set aside $95,000 under its central services portion of the general fund for professional and technical services. Business manager Karen Hammersley said the two school districts are negotiating how much Smith’s salary will be for the coming school year. She said the $95,000 includes Smith’s salary as well as other technical costs, like copier leases and the hiring of consultants to upgrade computer software for staff.

Part of Smith’s duties will be improving the district’s computers and software and helping students and staff maintain the district’s website. The Northport Public School website is www.northportps.org.