Kaneland's Johnson stays positive after receiving layoff notice
Brian Johnson prefers to see the bright side.
The Kaneland boys basketball coach was among 98 nontenured teachers and 111 total certified staff members given layoff notices by the District 303 School Board on Monday night.
The board issued the notices to help defray a projected budget deficit of $2.6 million for the 2010-11 academic year while anticipating the further loss of $2.2 million in state financial aid, according to figures reported in Tuesday's Daily Herald story by Susan Sarkauskas.
Johnson, who was in his first year at Kaneland teaching physical education, driver's education and speech, came to the district after a year at West Aurora. Before that he taught speech and P.E. for four years at Dundee-Crown High School, sufficient to have earned tenure in that district.
After serving as an assistant coach to legend Gordie Kerkman at West Aurora, in his first season as a head coach Johnson led Kaneland to a 17-10 record, their most victories since the Knights went 23-7 in the 1994-95 season.
Johnson's team, featuring All-Area captain Dave Dudzinski, won the Plano Christmas Classic and had big wins over Batavia, Glenbard South, Marengo, Hampshire and Rockford Christian.
"I understand that times are tough and a lot of districts are going through these RIFs (reductions in force) and tough decisions," Johnson said over the phone Tuesday evening.
"I obviously enjoy what I'm doing at Kaneland, I enjoy coaching there and I really enjoyed my time with the students and the staff. I'm just trying to stay as positive as possible and not trying to look at the negative in this."
What makes matters worse is that Johnson's wife, Katie, also received notice she'd be laid off at West Aurora, where she's in her third year as an English teacher. The couple have an 8-month-old son, William.
"It's been tough," Johnson said.
He had not gotten reaction from his players, speculating they either hadn't heard the news or they didn't know quite how to approach it. Regardless, Johnson is operating as usual.
"I'm trying to stick to my duties in the classroom and my coaching duties as if I still have the position," he said - which he does until the last day of the class, June 4.
"I'd feel like I did a disservice to my students and players if I just gave up," he said. "It's in my nature, I'm just trying to do the best job I can."
He has yet to hear specifics about the possibility of coming back as a teacher or a coach, if the district is able to bring positions back.
"I hope to be a part of that in the future," Johnson said, "and I'm just going to keep working hard and I expect the players to keep working hard."