What happened last week to many of the Cobb County teachers (layoffs) is a disgrace to our county and a disservice to the students of our schools. It is not my intent to defend any particular teacher because I personally do not know all the circumstances surrounding each individual situation. It is, however, compelling for me to criticize the system which was used to decide which teacher stays and which teacher goes.
The system is flawed. In essence, a teacher could have taught in Cobb County for 15 years, left for a year, and then taught for the past year. And they would have just lost their job. This is because they are only considered to have continuous service for one year through this process.
Yet, the teacher who just graduated from college two years ago could take precedence over that experienced teacher. I do not believe in teacher tenure policy, but I do believe in keeping the most effective performing teachers. Also, those teachers who were considered "49 percent" or less, were on the chopping block. Were they offered full-time positions? If they are an effective teacher, why would we not figure out a way to keep them?
Does this mean that other teachers will need to double up in subject teaching, possibly teaching a course that they are not certified? A science teacher possibly teaching Business Ed? So performance evaluations were also used, and rightly so.
However, how were those performance evaluations administered and over what period of time? Many of our critical coaches at Allatoona High School have been dismissed, and when I say critical I mean they are head coaches.
When Allatoona High School opened two years ago, our coaches were chosen because of their high credentials as educators and coaches and they have proven, over the past two years, their performance both on and off the field. These coaches have been mentors to the students for two years and have built our athletic programs to have a superior reputation. What impact will this have on our students, both athletically and academically? What message does this send to our children?
The fairest way to have administered these cuts was through performance-based criteria, and then by years of total service. The system has allowed some ineffective teachers to retain their positions while highly effective teachers are without jobs. And despite the cut in teacher positions, we will still see class sizes rise in our schools - some classes could have as many as 40 students in high school. How effective can a teacher be to your child with that many in a classroom?
And above all, why have we as taxpayers allowed our school board to mismanage the budget over the past three years that allowed the situation to become this reality?
Rhonda R. Eberhard
Acworth
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Please help Oakwood High School continue to serve Cobb County Students!
Last Chance, unless you decide to sue because of their violation of due process:
6/9 CCSD Board Meeting
Public Comments - 7:30 AM sign in to speak
Board Meeting, comments - 8:30 AM
514 Glover St. Marietta, Georgia 30080
(Legal Adoption of the FY2011 Budget at Regular Board Meeting)
Frankly, Allison Bartlett is the only one up there with two ounces of common sense fighting for students. Sanderson, and the rest of the Board, need to go. We need to vote them out.
2. The CCSD BOE doesn't hold anyone accountable. Who in their right mind let's a superintendent of this caliber(no need to reference his shortcomings or integrity) evaluate himself?
3. Board chairs and members that are in love with being "board member" but not giving squat about the children, transparency in operations, or parent input.
3. A county that elects board members more so on political party rather than what they will do. You knew Abraham and Crooks were self absorbed loose cannons. What made matters worse was Linda Crowder-Eagle. Her answers to questions and even regular responses makes you wonder about.......
4. At some point the BOE needs to really internalize ideas by Ms Barlett. Stop having administrators gather at an event to discredit her proposals. That is cheap and underhanded but par for your course.
5. Look to other disricts for working examples. Slashing teachers was an easy way to accomplish budget reductions but wasn't the only way. (I reference #1 above). You opened a website for comments and suggestions....were any used?)
6. How many teachers had 30 years and could have retired? Was a package presented to any teachers contemplating retirement?
7. Be proactive! Stop waiting around while matters get worse. What's the plan for next year?????? AGAIN, WHAT IS THE FORECAST AND PLAN FOR NEXT YEAR
In any organizational realignment (layoff) it must follow that those who should go will stay and those who should stay will go. It is only through this political selection process that the organization will achieve it's highest level of incompetency and inefficiency.