The Saline Reporter
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
District lays off teachers
Move expected as part of switch to trimester schedule
By Brian Cox, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: May 1, 2008
Schedule changes planned for next year at the high school and the middle school resulted in 15 Saline teachers receiving layoff notices Friday.
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Overall, 35 teachers were affected by the schedule changes, some receiving notices of change of assignment and others of involuntary transfers.
Many of the 15 who received layoff notices will likely be recalled to at least part-time positions, said Betty Rosen-Leacher, assistant superintendent for instructional services. She anticipated seven or eight would remain on layoff.
Teachers affected by the layoff include five from the high school, three from Houghton Elementary School, two from Pleasant Ridge Elementary School, two music teachers, and one each from Saline Middle School, Woodland Meadows Elementary, and the Alternative High School.
The notices didn't come as a surprise to most. The shift next year to a trimester at the high school was expected to result in a staff reduction, Superintendent Scot Graden said. The upcoming change to a five-period day at Saline Middle School also triggered a need for fewer teachers.
"It's more of a program issue than a financial issue," Graden said.
The school district does expect to save around $400,000 in staff costs, however.
Graden said some of the savings would be used up by purchasing additional books and materials that are needed because of the schedule changes.
Administrators determined the number of layoffs after the high school scheduling for 2008-09 was completed, which then allowed them to determine staffing models for the year. Rosen-Leacher and Executive Director of Secondary Education Sean Enright included Saline Education Association President Tim Heim in the process.
Graden said the layoff notices came earlier than in the past because he wanted to relieve speculation.
"We knew the information and thought there was no point delaying getting it out," he said.
This is the third time in 18 months that the district has initiated layoffs. Former superintendent Beverley Geltner authorized the midyear layoff of seven teachers and six paraeducators in January 2007, saying it would save the district $300,000. In June, nine clerks were laid off as the district moved to privatize the service.
Both times the layoff announcements were awash in controversy and protest as teachers and staff objected to how they were informed of the decisions.
This time around, administrators were sensitive about keeping lines of communication open, Rosen-Leacher said.
The night before the notices were delivered, Rosen-Leacher left a districtwide voicemail informing staff of the notices and on Friday met personally with all but four of the 35 teachers impacted.
"Taking time with them as individuals and answering any questions they may have is important," she said.
The school board will vote on the layoff recommendation May 13. The teachers' last day will be June 30.
Graden described the layoff process as fluid and contingent on student enrollment, retirements and resignations.
"We certainly know we need less staff next year," he said.
Staff Writer Brian Cox can be reached at 429-7380 or bcox@heritage.com.
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