WHO IS IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT LINE?

Once again, The Limestone County Board of Education has "pink slipped"certified teachers and staff members at the end of the school year.  The school board members voted to terminate 44 employees — 28 teachers, an information technology facilitator and 15 classified employees last week because the BOE isn't able to balance its bank account.  The Central office hasn't lost any positions as of May 25 but the lead nurse did retire.  The system determined it had to cut  teacher units to make ends meet in the coming school year. 

When the school board has cut first-year and non-tenured teachers, it often rehires them before the next school year begins. This may or may not happen this year.  Some of those terminated will be rehired, Superintendent Tom Sisk said. “We don’t know which ones yet,” he said.“The cuts being made are only locally funded positions,” Sisk said. “We have not terminated any state-(funded) positions. The personnel action will save the school system about $1.7 million a year,according to Sisk. He said personnel and other cuts will “give us more flexibility,” as school officials try to reach a general fund balance that’s equal to one month’s operating expenses, or about $5.8 million for the county school system. We’re at about $2.4 million now, about halfway there,” Sisk said. “Our goal is to get there in three to five years.”He said the cuts won’t lead to classrooms with 30 students, though some may end up with 27 or 28 students. “That’s more than we’re accustomed to” in classroom size, he said. 

Several years ago, Elkmont lost it's head football coach, David Wilson to the "pink slip".  His comments about the situation apply just as much today as it did then.

“I hope that I am speaking for every 1st year teacher in Limestone County that received a letter of notification of non-renewal of contract on the day before school was out for the summer. The process of this notification is wrong. I know that you will say that it is law or policy or something that you have no control over, but it is still wrong. How can Limestone County attract the smartest and brightest young people that want to teach when they are paid so little and have no job security or at least ample notice so they can find other teaching opportunities?   Why not let these people at least know in time to make other arrangements?  I heard the comment that if you tell them early then they won't do their job effectively if they have another lined up. Does that sound right to any of you on the school board?"  

Who was on the chopping block this year in Elkmont/Piney Chapel?  Hopefully, these will be rehired; it will be a shame to lose such talented people from our community.

ELKMONT ELEMENTARY

Laura Dougherty, math

Penny Vincent, kindergarten

Gretta McDaniel, science

Jacob Ryan, history

ELKMONT HIGH SCHOOL

Resignations: Looks like a rebuilding year for the varsity basketball programs may be in the works.

Dennis Black, head boys basketball coach

Steve Bates, head girls basketball coach.

PINEY CHAPEL ELEMENTARY

Kandace Maddox, fifth grade

Jacqueline Phillips, instructional assistant 

TANNER ELEMENTARY - ELKMONT CONNECTIONS
Eryn Mitchell, second grade

Whitney Reece, wife of head Elkmont baseball coach
 
Newspaper Article Links: 
Decatur Daily
Athens News Courier