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Forty teachers, including coaches, face job loss
(by Sue Hoffman - April 14, 2010)
Forty teachers, including coaches, face job loss
By SUE HOFFMAN
Solon High School football coach James McQuaide, girls' basketball coach Trish Kruse and history teacher Rob Rivera are among the teachers who will lose their jobs in a reduction in force if a 6.9-mill operating levy is not passed by voters May 4.
They are among 40 teachers whose contracts have been suspended for the 2010-2011 school year as class sizes increase, officials said at Monday's Solon School Board meeting. Their selection is based on seniority, certification and tenure, as required by the teachers' contract, officials said.
The contracts being suspended, coupled with additional resignations and retirements, add up to 51.8 teacher positions that are being cut to meet the budget, officials said.
If the levy does not pass, administrators have said that more than $2.8 million would need to be cut from the budget, increasing class sizes to a minimum of 28 students in kindergarten to sixth grade and a minimum of 32 students in grades seven to 12.
If the levy passes, Solon and Glenwillow homeowners will pay an additional $211 per year for each $100,000 of taxable home valuation. Senior citizens will pay an additional $158 on the first $100,000 of valuation and $211 on each additional $100,000.
Mr. McQuaide, who has tenure but not seniority in business education, has been coaching football and teaching business since 2003. Ms. Kruse was hired for the current school year as a physical education teacher as well as varsity coach. Mr. Rivera, who left his career as an attorney to be a teacher, recently was named by one of the top 15 students in the senior class as his most inspirational teacher.
Seven teachers who received continuing contracts, or tenure, from the school board Monday, had their contracts immediately suspended as allowed by contract for financial reasons.
"These teachers are being suspended in case the levy does not pass," school board member Dorothy Seibert said. "If you look at the names, it is very sad and heartbreaking to lose this many quality teachers. We spend a lot of effort in training and in selecting the very best." Some may take jobs elsewhere, she said.
If the levy fails in May and passes in November, the 2010-2011 school year cannot be reorganized, she said. "It could have serious effects in subsequent years."
"The RIF policy, if there isn't money to pay, is based on seniority in the negotiated agreement," Mrs. Seibert said. "We don't have a choice based on which teachers we would like to keep -- the best one in this subject or that subject. If money becomes available partially, we call back according to the RIF."
"Perusing the list, there are some very good people here," school board President Roger Goudy said. "I can guarantee you other districts will try to snatch them up."
School board member Marilyn Thomas said it's important that everyone votes. She said several years ago, a levy failed because no one thought that it would fail and many didn't take the time to vote.
School Superintendent Joseph V. Regano said part of the success of the district has been longevity and stability of the staff. "For the community as a whole, there is a great benefit to keeping them all together," he said.
Regarding the RIF selection process, Mr. Regano said those teachers who have more than one certification have more protection since they can teach another subject area.
"Their job may have been saved because they have qualifications in another field," he said. Among other factors, non-tenured teachers will lose their positions before those with tenure, he said. He said basic RIF procedures are common to all school districts, although there could be slight differences in the selection process.
"It speaks to the importance of everyone getting out to vote," and making sure the levy passes in May, school board member Julie Glavin said. "It would not come as a surprise to anyone that it would be immediately back on the ballot in November, with really catastrophic results. I hope everyone is able to get to the polls in May and approve this now."
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