A District in Trouble

We had an "emergency" meeting after school today. The superintendent lied to us.

To be fair, it was something she said months ago, before the RIF (Reduction In Force) notices.

The Academy was told that we would get at least two years on our four-period block schedule. We were just told that we would be going to the new six-period schedule, the same as the high school will be adopting.

The main reason given was a lack of funding for teachers. They said they needed two more FTE to make it work. And with the RIFs, they aren't going to get that.

This from a district that is currently paying TWO high school principals. Moved another assistant principal to the ninth grade from his current position and hired a new interim to take that place. All in the name of "smooth transitioning." This smooth transition started in March, for Chrissakes. This from a district that is currently giving money to the BERC program for "powerful teaching," when all the BERC group does is consult. Nothing substantial. This froma district that has CUT journalism and drama for next year. This from a district that will be paying NEW employees next year to facilitate new programs.

And I, a guy that parents are requesting, was RIFed.

Good luck with the huge classes for English. Good luck on test scores. I made a real impact this year, teaching three periods of English everyday to the same kids. But that's the way of the WASL. Advances made this year are shown on NEXT year's WASL scores. So it will look like the current configuration is working when it was the configuration the year BEFORE that really worked.

Good luck.