U-46 to lay off hundreds of teachers, support staffers, but recalls expected
The Elgin Area School District U-46 school board Monday approved the dismissal of 263 teachers, roughly 200 of whom will be recalled for the next school year, officials said.
The board also authorized not renewing contracts for 16 first-, second- and third-year probationary teachers, and the dismissal of three unionized support staff members, 229 nonunion support personnel, six funded project support staffers, and two administrative employees.
U-46 Human Resources Director Melanie Meidel said some support staff members also will be recalled, though how many will not be determined until after officials configure classrooms for next school year.
By law, school districts must inform employees of reductions-in-force at least 45 days before the end of the school year, U-46 CEO Tony Sanders said.
In a message to employees Friday, Sanders explained the targeted reductions were the result of declining enrollments, expansion of the dual language program, staffing to standards, and his decision to return many of the district's instructional coaches to the classroom.
"I want to assure you we have not changed our staffing standards for 2015-2016 despite the many unknowns regarding the state budget and proposals to freeze property taxes," he wrote.
The district's growing dual language program will include sixth-graders next year. The administration plans on hiring more bilingual teachers to meet the demand.
"We are looking at an increase of 27 FTEs (full-time-equivalent teachers) to support the bilingual education," Meidel said. "That includes our dual language and federally mandated bilingual programs."
Unlike previous years, the reductions affect a more targeted group of teachers based on approval ratings and years of service, as per changes in state law, Meidel said.
"There is no RIF that is not disruptive, but by targeting we were able to limit the number of teachers that might be affected," she said.
Starting next year, reading will not be mandatory for all students at the district's eight middle schools. Placement into reading courses will depend on scores.
Students whose scores are above the 20th percentile have the option of choosing an elective, such as rotation (art, family and consumer science, Project Lead the Way, and computer technology), speech, debate, world language, and health education. Advanced reading also will be offered as an elective.
Many middle school reading teachers will be reassigned to speech/debate classrooms, Meidel said.
The district will begin recalling teachers starting April 24.
In a message to its membership, the Elgin Teachers Association urged teachers to be sensitive to "the stressful and disheartening nature of a RIF for all those affected."