Advice Taken - Still Waiting for Leadership

I recently read in Pioneer Press’s Herald-Advocate, of East Maine School District #63’s recent staff reductions.  The article recreated below, follows just one month after Dr. Clay’s own blog post of March 14, 2011 on the same subject.

Pioneer Press Herald-Advocate April 14, 2011

District 63 “School board votes to cut 47 teachers from district payroll Reductions also include a dozen noncertified staff positions By Natasha Wasinski                                                     Contributor Forty-seven teachers will not be re-employed next year by East Maine School District 63, the Board of Education unanimously voted on April 6. The board also approved the “honorable dismissal” of 12 noncertified teaching assistants and the resignation of four Spanish resource staff and a special education teaching assistant. The downsizing of staff follows the board’s decision last month to reduce its 2011–12 school year budget by $1.6 million to avert a financial crisis. Still, some jobs are in limbo and may not get cut, after all. At least a dozen positions may remain intact if the district and it’s for bargaining units reach an agreement in negotiating salaries. The board favors saving an additional $1.1 million by freezing or reducing salaries to increasing class sizes and eliminating staff positions. In order to engage in negotiations the bargaining units must first vote to reopen their contracts. According to Superintendent Scott Clay the district expects to get the results of their votes by today (April 14). Among other actions at its monthly meeting the District 63 Board of Education: heard from Clay about changes this year to the districts strategic-planning process, including smaller focus groups of parents, and developing fewer goals to make the strategic plan more user–friendly and achievable. Clay anticipates creating an outline dashboard report to measure and track the districts progress approved the adoption of a new logo that features three silhouettes with raised arms on the backdrop of a globe. “I considered it my mission to do this,” said Charlene Cobb, executive director of instruction and learning, of creating a new logo for the district heard an update from David Bein, executive director of business services, on his research to adjust school times and bus routes. Options include pushing back start times so three elementary schools dismiss at 3:45 p.m., or adjusting the times of all schools by no more than 15 minutes. In discussion board members leaned toward the idea of adjusting the times of all schools instead of sending younger students home later approved safe replacements at Gemini School, Teacher Appreciation Week (May 2 – 6), and Administrative Professionals Week (April 25 – 29).”

Note: I attempted to find the article on the Pioneer-Press’s website, without success. 

The article, I am sure, accurately represents the discussion and decisions made at the meeting.  Of course, we taxpaying mortals will not be able to see these facts for ourselves until after May 4, 2011; following the Board’s approval of the April 6th meeting minutes.

However, in the mean time, the information contained in this article offer a plethora of blogging subjects.

Bargaining Unit Contracts to Remain Closed!

Should we act surprised? I think not!

The Unions (Bargaining Units) appear to have taken my advice and want to see a bit of leadership on the part of the Administration.