Newbury Schools Cut 14 Staff Members, Cite Declining Enrollment
Citing decreased student enrollment and financial reasons, the Newbury Schools Board of Education voted 4-1 Monday to cut 10 teachers, three classified staff members and one administrative staff member for the 2019-2020 school year.
Citing decreased student enrollment and financial reasons, the Newbury Schools Board of Education voted 4-1 Monday to cut 10 teachers, three classified staff members and one administrative staff member for the 2019-2020 school year.
The reduction in force would save the district about $700,000, said Treasurer Sarah Palm.
Board member Kirk Simpkins voted no.
Following a half-hour executive session to discuss personnel matters, Superintendent Jacqueline Hoynes said the May 6 meeting was difficult because it is always painful to reduce staff.
“There has been a sharp decrease in enrollment, but an increase in staff,” Hoynes said. “Since 2015, the student population decreased by 30 percent, but the staff didn’t.”
She recommended eliminating 10 teaching positions, one of them part-time, and said the pupil/teacher ratio would then be 13.5:1 at the elementary level, 19.5:1 at the intermediate level and 15:1 at the secondary level, still well below the state average of 26:1 at the secondary level and 24:1 at the elementary level.
“We will still be offering electives, based on the number of students signing up, and there will still be art, music and technology,” Hoynes said, adding the cuts will be made whether or not the district does a territory transfer with West Geauga Schools in the 2020-2021 school year.
Teaching positions eliminated are: Alissa Bodner, music; Jen Dassatti, special education; Seth Fieldhouse, physical education; Heather Grendel, elementary; Kate Hess, elementary; Kristen McKnight, elementary; Brianna Peck, science; Kate Pike, elementary; and Sue Sipos, FCS (half time).
Classified positions eliminated are: Lisa Levine, secretary; and Clark Cutlip and Dale Minadeo, bus drivers.
Also eliminated was one administrative position held by Richard Painley.
Hoynes said all of the affected staff members have been notified and have been offered support in locating new jobs.
“If everything with West Geauga falls through and students come back, would you re-hire the list?” Board member Marty Sanders asked.
Hoynes said it would be considered, if the school population increases.
Palm said even with the cuts, the district still faces a deficit in the 2020-2021 school year.
“That’s the same exact boat that West Geauga is in, in the red also,” Sanders said. “This discussion tonight isn’t about dollars and cents; we’re talking about peoples’ livelihoods here. All along we’ve touted our small class sizes.”
Board President Maggie Zock said the cost of permanent improvements is also a big factor in decision making.
“Twelve-point-five people are losing their jobs,” Sanders said. “This is difficult and I know it’s not easy. Our first responsibility is the education of our students, and the second is the wellbeing of our staff, who take care of our children eight hours a day. We’d better have our backs straight. This isn’t fun. We’ve had RIFs before, but this is a large, large RIF.”
“We understand this is not easy, but it could be worse if we were not in control,” Zock said.
Sanders praised the dedication of the Newbury staff during all the uncertainty about the transfer and the future of their jobs.
“The staff has been told of the cuts, but they’re still coming to work,” Sanders said.
“And they’ve been amazing about it,” Hoynes added.
Newbury Education Association representative Carrie Hinkle criticized the board for what she said was refusing to meet with staff to discuss the future of their jobs if the district transfers to West Geauga.
“Eighty-seven percent of our staff will be unemployed,” Hinkle said. “The new board never once met with our staff. What is the transfer plan for the staff?”
She told the board she expects answers from them by May 13.
Zock said the board had been advised not to discuss the transfer plans directly with staff, but to rely on the superintendent to serve as liaison.
After the votes were taken on the cuts, Zock and Hoynes thanked the staff members for their service, which Hoynes called outstanding.
“We offer our support as they look for other employment,” the superintendent said.
