By the end of this week a total of 17 teachers will have met with Jennings County School Corporation (JCSC) superintendent Dr. Michael Bushong and will have received Reduction In Force (RIF) letters.
The 17 individuals receiving the letters are all elementary school or special education teachers. According to Bushong, the cutback is based on enrollment decreases within the corporation.
"We also lost stimulus money that was paying a couple of positions," Bushong explained. "We have also seen a decrease in enrollment at the elementary level so we will need fewer teachers next year."
The Education Job Fund paid for Title I instructors. With that having dried up, one person will lose their job. Another position in Title I, which helps students with their reading skills, will also be lost due to a decrease in enrollment.
Special education will see a decrease in their staff of nine total positions.Rick McLeod, former special education director, has been filling another position within the department for the last few years. His position will be dissolved and he will retire, something he had planned to do after stepping down as the head of the department.
Three individuals involved in special education will also receive RIF notices due to their licensing. Two are receiving notices because they are working under an emergency license from the state. If they complete the requirements by the start of the 2011-12 school year, they will be retained. If not, the two positions will be posted and applications will be accepted. However, one special education teaching position will be eliminated.
"Without a doubt, these reductions are coming solely based on enrollment," Bushong stressed. "Between the $1.6 million in cuts from the state and our decreasing enrollment, we are having to make some tough decisions."
Eight elementary teachers will lose their jobs along with one full-time positions and one part-time position at the secondary schools - Jennings County High School and Jennings County Middle School. These cuts are coming as a cost-cutting measure.
As for noncertified staff which includes maintenance, cafeteria, custodial and secretarial, there will be cuts coming as well, although no final number is available.
"It is beginning to look like we will lose six full-time and one part-time teacher's aids," Bushong revealed. "These are based on enrollment and has nothing to do with the dollar and cents."
Other positions may also be decreased depending on enrollment and the cut from the state's funding.
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