Scottsboro Board of Education, Page Administration Complex, Scottsboro Board of Education photo, Fair Use for non-profit news reporting and commentary.
PRIVATIZE SCHOOL SYSTEM OR MONEY SAVING MEASURE??
June 28, 2016 Scottsboro,
Alabama - Scottsboro City School Board Work Session - Part 1 Appleton
Contracting Services for School System Support Positions.
It was a packed house, standing room only, for Tuesday evening's school board meeting. These two videos concern discussion by the school board and superintendent about contracting of support services for the school system. The recent 4% pay raise by the state is not fully funded and has left a gap in financial stability for the local school system of approximately $50,000 according to the Board's President Mr. Daryl Eustace. "No one will be laid-off or terminated so Appleton employees could be utilized." This statement was emphasized by both the Superintendent and the Board President.
Mr. Eustace has stated by
filling vacant and retiring support positions with Appleton Contracting
employees it would save the school system approximately $50,000. Mr. Eustace
went on to say that he would like to utilize contracting services on a limited basis
to determine if it was going to work for the school system.
The schools
Superintendent, Dr. Sandra Spivey, was adamant that no employees were going to
be terminated or laid-off. She also stated the school board must save money. We
were in serious financial trouble when I came aboard, she commented. Dr. Spivey
further commented, regarding the contracting issue, that children are first but
financial accountability must be a high priority. Dr. Spivey asked for input as
to ways money could be saved. Regarding that issue, folks should remember the
City Board of Education moved from a small single story structure to its
current location several years ago which is a huge multi story building for
its' administration offices, Page Administration Center. The Scottsboro City
School system has a large bond indebtedness. Administrative costs and bond debt
has to be a large financial drain on the school system. It has been stated that
not all of the city tax money for schools is turned over to the schools system,
some is held by the City of Scottsboro.
The local Alabama
Education Association (AEA) representative, Ms. Sheila Cornelison, indicated to me afterwards that she was not
appreciative regarding Dr. Spivey's comments about her. The AEA is not
supportive of utilizing contract employees. There were several individuals
present that had been terminated. It was stated by former employees that 17 positions had been terminated by the school system, these were all support
positions. The terminated employees present stated, "The superintendent
and school board are not telling the whole truth."
About AEA: https://www.myaea.org/contact/about-aea/
As a note, the Scottsboro Board of Education no longer allows for sign-up by citizens at its Work-Session. Info from Board President Daryl Eustace - To get on the agenda, a person must call the Schools Superintendent to get permission after discussion with the superintendent. It is my opinion this does not facilitate the concept of citizen involvement in government within the community. County and City government in Scottsboro allow 5 minute presentations by citizens within established rules. When I inquired about this issue, Birmingham School system was mentioned regarding abuses by citizens.Sometimes our local government leadership has forgotten who they work for, the citizenry.
The School Board and Superintendent's job is to manage our school system efficiently and professionally, to provide the best education possible for the children of the Scottsboro area. For the most part this citizen believes they do an admirable job. To not allow citizen sign-ups demonstrates a distrust of local citizenry and does not facilitate participatory government for the people of Scottsboro. The school board should reconsider their policy regarding citizen sign-ups at the school board meetings..
Public Records Disclosure
The following 17 support personnel were not renewed, classified as "non-renewal" according to the May 16, 2016 Scottsboro Board of Education Personnel Agenda and would be eligible to be replaced by a contracted employee:
.
1. BLACK, Michelle – Itinerant Special Education Instructional Assistant, Scottsboro City
PART 2 Video
About AEA: https://www.myaea.org/contact/about-aea/
As a note, the Scottsboro Board of Education no longer allows for sign-up by citizens at its Work-Session. Info from Board President Daryl Eustace - To get on the agenda, a person must call the Schools Superintendent to get permission after discussion with the superintendent. It is my opinion this does not facilitate the concept of citizen involvement in government within the community. County and City government in Scottsboro allow 5 minute presentations by citizens within established rules. When I inquired about this issue, Birmingham School system was mentioned regarding abuses by citizens.Sometimes our local government leadership has forgotten who they work for, the citizenry.
The School Board and Superintendent's job is to manage our school system efficiently and professionally, to provide the best education possible for the children of the Scottsboro area. For the most part this citizen believes they do an admirable job. To not allow citizen sign-ups demonstrates a distrust of local citizenry and does not facilitate participatory government for the people of Scottsboro. The school board should reconsider their policy regarding citizen sign-ups at the school board meetings..
Public Records Disclosure
The following 17 support personnel were not renewed, classified as "non-renewal" according to the May 16, 2016 Scottsboro Board of Education Personnel Agenda and would be eligible to be replaced by a contracted employee:
.
1. BLACK, Michelle – Itinerant Special Education Instructional Assistant, Scottsboro City
Schools, effective
May 20, 2016.
2. BROWN, Amanda – After-School Program Lead Teacher,
Collins Intermediate School,
effective May 20, 2016.
3. CAIN, Marcy – After-School Program Lead Teacher,
Nelson Elementary School,
effective May 20, 2016.
4. CLARK, Desiree – Itinerant Special Education
Instructional Assistant, Scottsboro
City Schools, effective May 20, 2016.
5. EHLERT, Joan – Part-Time Nurse (Bus Route-Morning), Scottsboro
City Schools,
and After-School Program Itinerant Teacher Assistant/LPN,
Scottsboro City
Schools (based at Collins Intermediate School for the 2015-2016
year), effective
May 20, 2016.
6. GRAHAM, Velma – Part-Time Special Education Office
Assistant, Central Office,
effective June 30, 2016.
7. HALLMAN, Rhonda – Itinerant Special Education
Instructional Assistant and Nurse,
Scottsboro City Schools, effective May 20, 2016.
8. HANCOCK, Riley – After-School Program Teacher
Assistant, Brownwood
Elementary School, effective May 20, 2016.
9. HANCOCK, Taryn – After-School Program Teacher
Assistant, Caldwell Elementary
School, effective May 20, 2016.
10. HEWITT, Pamela – Itinerant Special Education
Instructional Assistant, Scottsboro
City Schools, effective May 20, 2016.
11 JOHNSON, Molly – After-School Program Lead Teacher,
Brownwood Elementary
School, effective May 20, 2016.
12. OWENS, Victoria – After-School Program Teacher
Assistant, Nelson Elementary
School, effective May 20, 2016.
13. PENDERGRASS, Heather – After-School Program Teacher
Assistant, Collins
Intermediate School, effective May 20, 2016.
14. PRITCHETT, Hartley – Itinerant Special Education
Instructional Assistant, Scottsboro
City Schools, effective May 20, 2016.
15. RODGERS, Kim – Part-Time Nurse (Bus Route-Afternoon),
Scottsboro City Schools,
effective May 20, 2016.
16. TALLEY, Cathy – After-School Program Lead Teacher,
Caldwell Elementary School,
effective May 20, 2016.
17. WHITE, Sylvia – Itinerant Part-Time Special Education
Instructional Assistant,
Scottsboro City Schools,
effective May 20, 2016.
Part of an ALEC Plan, "Cashing in on Kids? http://www.prwatch.org/news/2016/03/13054/cashing-kids-172-alec-education-bills-2015
Part of an ALEC Plan, "Cashing in on Kids? http://www.prwatch.org/news/2016/03/13054/cashing-kids-172-alec-education-bills-2015