It's contagious! Teachers in KC being forced out now too.

[proud2BlibKansan]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Teachers in the Kansas City, Missouri School District fear job losses and layoffs amid the district's plan to close and consolidate schools.

District Superintendent John Covington released his final school closing list to the board last week. Covington estimates the building closures would also eliminate 285 teaching positions.

On KCUR's weekly radio show, "KC Currents" the district's Chief Academic Officer, Denise Wiedemann, revealed that some teachers will also be required to reapply for their jobs. Wiedemann did not disclose any details; she did say the district's turnaround schools need to be rebuilt from the ground up to ensure that teachers and administrators are effective in reaching and teaching students.

The Kansas City Federation of Teachers union president, Andrea Flinders was scheduled to meet Monday afternoon with the human resources director at the school board offices to discuss layoffs and reconstituting which could result in teachers having to reapplying for their positions.

Her meeting was postponed until Tuesday. She's hopeful that she and Covington can come to a compromise that does not include reconstituting schools.

In a statement, Flinders encouraged union members to keep a positive attitude.

"The remaining months of this school year are going to be extremely difficult. On top of school closings, there will be non-renewals, terminations, furloughs, voluntary and involuntary transfers. Please be assured that the Union will stay on top of each of these issues, making sure our members are treated fairly and ensuring that our contract is followed," said Flinders. "When Dr. Covington came out with his proposal and the five schools that were up for reconstitution, it was a surprise. It had not been discussed.”

http://www.nbcactionnews.com/news/local/story/KCMSD-Teachers-Fear-Job-Losses/VoH1BDCi8k-HX2Kx6xQStA.cspx

[madfloridian]

1. .....

:cry:

Can't believe this is going on unchecked.

[madrchsod]

3. no one is going to lift a finger to stop it....

obama has accomplished what the republicans have been trying to do for years... blame the teachers and bust the teacher`s unions.

if i`m still around i won`t vote for him.

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. We cannot sit by and let this happen

We absolutely have to speak out and speak up for the kids. When teachers are attacked, kids suffer.

[progressoid]

2. Plan to eliminate 480 in Des Moines IA

D.M. district urged to explore all options

The Des Moines school district's plan for ways to cut $33 million from next year's budget will lead people to flee the city and will make it difficult to attract businesses, residents repeatedly told school leaders Monday night.

More than 100 parents, community members, students and teachers turned out for a two-hour meeting hosted by AMOS, the Des Moines group A Metropolitan Organizing Strategy. They outlined their concerns with the district's proposed spending plan, outlined possible solutions and set a course of action that includes lobbying the legislature, creating an ongoing presence at school board meetings, working with the Des Moines Education Association and raising community awareness

...

District leaders on Friday unveiled their proposed $327.5 million general fund budget for next fiscal year, which begins July 1. It calls for $33 million in budget reductions and the elimination of nearly 480 employees, the majority of them teaching positions.

Officials built the plan without knowing how much money the district will receive from the state. The budget could improve or worsen, officials have said, depending on the Legislature's allotment to schools.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20100309/NEWS02/3090370/-1/LIFE04/D.M.-district-urged-to-explore-all-options

[madrchsod]

4. almost 500 million since the start of the iraq and afgan war to the second

that is what it has cost the area around des moines

check out des moines....

http://costofwar.com/


we would`t be talking about this problem would we. we`d be talking about the latest schools being built, the latest technologies the classrooms were receiving ,and the fully funded and staffed special ed /learning skills classes.

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. 128 in Shawnee Mission, KS

http://www.kctv5.com/education/22783434/detail.html

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. Blue Valley in Overland Park, KS: $9 million in cuts

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- The Blue Valley School District announced on Monday afternoon that it is proposing cutting programs that many students participate in as part of an effort to trim down the district's budget.

The programs include everything from athletics to music, and officials said the cuts would help save the district millions of dollars.

Budget cuts are affecting school districts all over the metro as parents in the Blue Valley District found out on Monday. The district is one of the metro's most affluent with a median family income of nearly $88,000 a year, according to the Public School Review.

The district is proposing cuts that would bring in $9 million, but at a high cost. Officials will present the proposed cuts at a school board meeting on Monday night. Some of the cuts include eliminating eighth grade athletics (160 coaching jobs), eliminating seventh grade track and field, eliminating elementary band and strings programs and increasing classroom populations.

The list also includes cutting numerous administrative, teaching and paraprofessional positions.

[FBaggins]

8. Contagious? Nah... it's just a couple states.

Or is it? :shrug:

[roguevalley]

9. ah, more change. we can. believe. in. probably.