A discussion of education in East Tennessee
Friday 'E' day for teachers
Officials hope to notify by then most whose jobs will be eliminated
By Lola Alapo
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Knox County school officials by Friday hope to have notified most teachers whose positions will be eliminated next school year.
The 63 slots are being shed to help close a multimillion-dollar budget gap for the 2009-10 budget year.
"We're doing everything to minimize the impact on the education of our children," Superintendent Jim McIntyre said, noting that the reductions in instruction are in the 1 percent to 1.5 percent range as opposed to anticipated 5 percent to 7 percent cuts in noninstructional and operation areas.
Principals decided which positions to eliminate, McIntyre said. He declined to say which subject areas are being cut. The system's human resources director expects a more complete list of positions by Friday. "I would hesitate to characterize it as a particular area," McIntyre said.
The initial focus for cuts was not on the classroom, but timing required cutting teachers before trimming areas, including the central administrative offices.
McIntyre on March 23 will present to the Knox County school board a full budget proposal.
"The Knox County Schools are not immune to the kind of economic forces that other organizations in our area are experiencing," he said. "Unfortunately, difficult economic times are forcing some trade-offs to balance our budget."
The cuts likely will hurt students, said Athanasios Bayiates, president of the Knox County Education Association, which negotiates the teacher contract with the school system.
"The concern a lot of educators express is, 'How will this affect student learning, and will this take away pathways for students, especially in our high schools?' " he said.
In some instances, educators losing their positions have worked in the school system for more than 25 years, Bayiates said, and "it's hard for them."
He noted Knox County is in a better position than many districts in the state and country that have cut hundreds of positions.
In Knox County, elementary schools will lose 19 teaching positions overall. Middle schools would lose 21, and high schools would lose 23 positions.
District officials determined the positions through an analysis of schools' student-to-staff ratios.
Of the 63 positions, only 10 teachers will not have a job in the school system next year, Bayiates said. The rest "are being taken care of by retirements, resignations or involuntary transfers."
The 55,000-student school system has about 4,300 teachers at 86 schools.
Teachers losing their jobs will teach courses through the end of the school year, schools spokesman Russ Oaks said. "They can apply for vacancies that are open within the system for which they are qualified," he said.
As some schools are losing teaching positions, others such as Hardin Valley Academy are gaining them. The county's newest high school will have 21 more teachers because it's adding a senior class.
Classified positions such as secretaries and bookkeepers also will be eliminated. Middle schools overall will lose four clerical positions and high schools will lose seven overall, according to district data.
Kathy Sims, the district's executive director of human resources, said her office plans to notify 90 percent of affected teachers by Friday.
Lola Alapo may be reached at 865-342-6376.
By Lola Alapo
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Knox County school officials by Friday hope to have notified most teachers whose positions will be eliminated next school year.
The 63 slots are being shed to help close a multimillion-dollar budget gap for the 2009-10 budget year.
"We're doing everything to minimize the impact on the education of our children," Superintendent Jim McIntyre said, noting that the reductions in instruction are in the 1 percent to 1.5 percent range as opposed to anticipated 5 percent to 7 percent cuts in noninstructional and operation areas.
Principals decided which positions to eliminate, McIntyre said. He declined to say which subject areas are being cut. The system's human resources director expects a more complete list of positions by Friday. "I would hesitate to characterize it as a particular area," McIntyre said.
The initial focus for cuts was not on the classroom, but timing required cutting teachers before trimming areas, including the central administrative offices.
McIntyre on March 23 will present to the Knox County school board a full budget proposal.
"The Knox County Schools are not immune to the kind of economic forces that other organizations in our area are experiencing," he said. "Unfortunately, difficult economic times are forcing some trade-offs to balance our budget."
The cuts likely will hurt students, said Athanasios Bayiates, president of the Knox County Education Association, which negotiates the teacher contract with the school system.
"The concern a lot of educators express is, 'How will this affect student learning, and will this take away pathways for students, especially in our high schools?' " he said.
In some instances, educators losing their positions have worked in the school system for more than 25 years, Bayiates said, and "it's hard for them."
He noted Knox County is in a better position than many districts in the state and country that have cut hundreds of positions.
In Knox County, elementary schools will lose 19 teaching positions overall. Middle schools would lose 21, and high schools would lose 23 positions.
District officials determined the positions through an analysis of schools' student-to-staff ratios.
Of the 63 positions, only 10 teachers will not have a job in the school system next year, Bayiates said. The rest "are being taken care of by retirements, resignations or involuntary transfers."
The 55,000-student school system has about 4,300 teachers at 86 schools.
Teachers losing their jobs will teach courses through the end of the school year, schools spokesman Russ Oaks said. "They can apply for vacancies that are open within the system for which they are qualified," he said.
As some schools are losing teaching positions, others such as Hardin Valley Academy are gaining them. The county's newest high school will have 21 more teachers because it's adding a senior class.
Classified positions such as secretaries and bookkeepers also will be eliminated. Middle schools overall will lose four clerical positions and high schools will lose seven overall, according to district data.
Kathy Sims, the district's executive director of human resources, said her office plans to notify 90 percent of affected teachers by Friday.
Lola Alapo may be reached at 865-342-6376.
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Permalink Reply by Jigsha Desai on
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That's a shame to hear.
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