Over 200 Jobs On The Line In For Birmingham City Schools Educators
By: Stephen Crews
Updated: July 16, 2012
In just about 24 hours,
nearly 200 Birmingham City School teachers and employees may have a
pink-slip in hand. The school board is set to vote on two key-changes
aimed at getting its budget in line with state-requirements.
The school board's agenda calls for a vote on teacher, and employee cuts but whether board members vote to approve it or not may not matter. These cuts were determined by the state and because they took over the school district, they can override decisions on exactly how cuts will be made.
Tuesday's meeting will address two key
steps toward getting the Birmingham district in compliance with the
state savings plan. First, board members will vote on the list of
teaching and staffing positions to be eliminated.
Board member Virginia Volker says the state's plan is damaging classrooms.
"If they have special needs children in
their classes - I had a middle school teacher tell me, I've got some
guys in my classes who are twice my size," Virginia Volker, Birmingham
City School Board Member said. "They are special needs and they can't
help themselves very much."
"It's going to be a difficult vote and a
difficult decision but in the long term, these are going to be the
things we have to do," Brian Giattina, Birmingham City School Board
Member said.
The board will also vote on changing the
salary policy for employees being demoted. Currently, that policy says
all staff can keep their salary for one year, even though they'll be
working in a lower paying position. A 'yes' vote would not change the
policy until next year.
"It will hopefully bring some order and
chain of command to the central office which has been a little confusing
up until this point," Giattina said.
Dr. Ed Richardson says, board members can
still vote, but if they do not approve the plan, the state will still
move forward with it -- a situation leaving board members at odds.
"Sure it's hard - and it's hard for the citizens who elected us," Volker said.
"From an operational standpoint, like I
said, I really feel like the staff and the state and Dr. Witherspoon -
they've been working together and we have made a lot of progress in a
short period of time," Giattina said.
The delay in approving the financial
recovery plan is pushing the school start date back this fall.
Tuesday, board members will vote on whether to delay the first day of
school by three days. The meeting is set for 6:00 at Carver High School.
