Finances force Lee Co. Schools to lose teachers
Staff Writer
Published: May 12, 2009
All non-tenured teachers in the Lee County Schools were essentially fired Tuesday night, only to be rehired minutes later under a different contract.
Superintendent Dr. Stephen Nowlin recommended the school board not renew the current 189-day contracts for about 200 teachers at Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting. Then he asked the board to rehire most of those teachers and some additional staff, under 187-day contracts. The board agreed unanimously.
The reduction was one of several Nowlin announced Tuesday in a memo to teachers and the board as the school system faces massive shortfalls in state and local revenues.
Between Lee County’s 12 schools, Nowlin said they will lose between 25 and 30 teachers next year. Some are due to retirements and resignations, but the majority are because of the reduction in funds, including 14 funded solely by the state.
“We literally don’t have the money coming in for the amount of teachers we had this year,” he said.
A number of teachers, both tenured and non-tenured from Loachapoka Elementary School, attended the meeting to witness the board’s action, which they deemed demeaning and disrespectful.
“It’s not about the money,” said tenured-teacher Rob Harlan. “It’s about respect.”
They didn’t like how officials handled the situation, notifying staff by e-mails and letters instead of in person. They also doubted the financial situation is really as bleak as Nowlin made it sound.
“We’re concerned,” Harlan said. “They’re talking about fiscal responsibility, but we’re not seeing fiscal responsibility.”
Parent Andrew Gracia was the only person at the meeting to address the board on the staffing issue. He asked a number of questions of the board during his allotted time, including why teachers, parents and staff weren’t included in a discussion about ways to save money, knowing he wouldn’t get any answers.
“Their decision was made before we got here,” he said after he spoke.
Tenured-teacher Elizabeth Brannon said she scoffed at Nowlin’s comment about how the system will endure the difficult times ahead together.
“He’s says we’ll make it, but he’s never been in my classroom,” she said. “He has no idea how difficult it’s going to be.”
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“No good decision was ever made sitting in a swivel chair,“ - Gen. George S. Patton
A comment was made in reference, I believe, to my comment this morning regarding spelling. The misspelling of the word “believe” was merely a typo. I am an educated person. Now back to the issue. Lee County BOE is forced to cut back teacher’s jobs due to the lack of revenue. That is fine. BUT… why did the Lee Co. BOE purchase new vehicles for the higher ups if money is so short? Why are we paying for two superintendents? Why do we need an extra assisstant superintendent? Why did Lee Co. BOE hire an athletic director, paying him 60-70K, when he is not fully qualified? When you attend high school football games there are a dozen or more “coaches” on the sidelines coaching more losing teams than winning teams. I wonder how many teachers we could hire if we did not spend so much money on football. I wonder how many success stories have come out of the classroom versus off the football field in Lee County?
About the meeting that took place last night. It was very distasteful of the Board not to respond to the questions that were presented before them by the last speaker in the audience. The speaker was right when he told the Board that they all had failed to do their jobs. They were elected to serve for the people and make the right decisions. The 189 day memo went out asking teachers to work 187 days instead. This financial assessment was made prior to the Governor approving the education budget so how could the Board know what financial short fall their would be. It is certain that the Board is no better then the politicians who cut money from the people but then turn around and give themselves money. All I can say is vote all Board members out of office come next election.
Did the superintendent also agree to give up his 7% payraise that was written into his contract? I doubt it.
What about all the new vehicles that have been purchased? Were they necessary? Money can be saved in other areas so that teachers shouldn’t have to lose their jobs. Really, how many football coaches do we really need?
Dr. Nowlin stated at the board meeting that the architect chosen to build the new Smith Station High School is in charge of overseeing construction. That is included in the cost. Why then are we spending money to hire a Clerk of the Works to oversee construction? If the board doesn’t trust the architect and wants to keep a check on construction themselves, why not send one of the THREE highly paid assistant superintendents? The Clerk of the Works position is taking the salary of three teachers! Speaking of teachers, would any one like to donate school supplies to us? We are going to have to purchase our own this year out of our pockets.
You’re right. It is sad. Sad that the comments posted on this article (and frequently articles in this newspaper) are full of grammatical, punctuation and spelling errors. Is this the education that Alabama students receive?
Perhaps we need to spend less money on standardized testing and more on actually TEACHING students skills they will need when they reach adulthood.
Does it really matter what the title is….. this situation is grave and it is affecting the childrens education. It all starts at the top and trickles down…
What is even more messed up, Lee county is still currently paying for the current and former superintendent. Beauregard’s head football coach who I guess makes around 60-70K is not certified to do his job. Go figure. Lee County also has two assistent superintendents and I beleive about to hire a third. The superintendent must need alot of help to lay off teachers.
It is a sad day when our schools are losing classroom teachers that do a fantastic job because of money. What about cutting some of the administrative positions. How many superintendents are we paying? Our hard earned tax dollars at work…. It is truly a sad day in Lee County!
It is a sad day in Alabama when the school system is cutting Teacher’s and Teacher’s pay, as we all stand by while our State Representative’s gave themselves a 60 to 65 percent pay raise a couple of years age. I am saddened and ashamed to be an Alabamian.
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