Layoff notices coming for Clarksville Community Schools

By TARA HETTINGER, Evening News
Tara.Hettinger@newsandtribune.com

About 10 teachers with Clarksville Community School Corp. will be given Reduction in Force - or layoff - notices effective at the end of this school year, according to Bill Wilson, school board president.

Though, some positions may be able to be saved, at least temporarily, with economic stimulus money.

That was announced at Tuesday night's school board meeting, which was Superintendent Steve Fisher's last with Clarksville before he leaves for New Castle Community School Corp. to work as a superintendent there.

He used his time to declare that four of those teachers notified may be able to be called back once the school system receives the stimulus money promised to them. He encouraged the board to do just that, but warned that this is not a permanent solution.

"It's going to run out and somebody is going to be out of a job," Fisher said. "However, one year or two years is a lot better than zero."

He said retirements may help to make those extensions permanent, but there is no way to plan anticipate that.

Stephanie Niemi, president of the Clarksville Education Association, told the board that she agreed with Fisher's idea.

"That's what the stimulus package is for - to help save jobs even if it's for a year or two," she said.

Some board members spoke out, saying that they agreed.

"I'm in favor of using stimulus money in any way that benefits children and that includes teachers," Wilson said after the meeting. "Hopefully, we can call back as many as possible."

Wilson added that it may be until May or June until they can call any teachers back.

James Bemiss, board vice president, said the board used to have to issue layoff notices almost every year.

"It's nothing particularly new," he told the audience, adding that those notified may be called back at a later date.