Cleveland School Board votes to lay off 545 teachers, 773 total

[OhioChick]

10 hours and 14 minutes ago

CLEVELAND - The Cleveland Metropolitan School District's board, faced with a $52.8 million deficit, voted 6-2 to approve the layoffs of 773 employees Tuesday night.

The layoffs will include:

545 teachers
117 classified employees
67 high school administrators
44 K-8 administrators

These layoffs follow the board's decision last month to approve the closing of 16 school buildings as part of the CMSD Transformation Plan.

Layoffs will be determined according to seniority, contract status and areas of certification/licensure.

The school board deliberated over the decision to accept the district's layoff recommendation for an hour and a half.

Many teachers and parents were on hand for the meeting Tuesday night where emotions ran high.

"The money you're talking about saving, you're going to end up losing in legal fees...you're going to end losing in medical coverage for teachers who are assaulted," said teacher Joyce Rice.

"I'm sick because I am safe, but I can't go in tomorrow and talk to my friends and tell them they don't have a job and talk to my parents and say the faith you put in this school district for the last two years, kindergarten and first grade, is going to go right out the window," said first grade teacher Michelle Pomerantz.

More: http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/cleveland-school-board-votes-to-lay-off-650-teachers-and-assistants

Teachers, Police, Fire and EMT are getting decimated here with layoffs. :(

[CC]

1. In a few years there will be a

major teacher shortage, again. Hate to say it but hoping this up and coming generation remembers how fast their under paid jobs can cut and find a different career path. Part of the shortage will be the teacher laid off that never go back but all the very well trained teachers that see the writing on the wall and find a different line of work.

[tonysam]

12. No problem for the privatizers

Just loosen or get rid of teacher certification laws and regulations and pull off anybody from the street.

Senegal did this when it advertised for 1,000 teaching jobs and drew 30,000 applicants.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. How shortsighted!

These are the people who teach the children.....the Future.

And the police and fire? They protect us.

The news just makes me feel sick...

:(

[Nikki Stone1]

3. This is happening all over: check out madfloridian's blog

It's a steamroller and it's beyond any state to really do anything about.

[Bozita]

9. The lead on Wednesday's NBC evening newscast was all about the nationwide school cuts.

In that report, SoEd Arne Duncan said between 100,000 and 300,00 teachers would lose their jobs this June.

I'm in Michigan. EVERY one of the 500+ local school districts here is facing huge financial problems.

[Ruby the Liberal]

4. Classroom size of 70 vs the future generation.

Unbelievable.

[mzteris]

5. can you say HOMESCHOOL?

No way I'd send my kid to a class with 70 kids in it. He hates the noise of 20!

[Ruby the Liberal]

6. I honestly don't know what I would do if I were in that position.

Second job + private school = less time with kiddos.

Homeschool = less needed income.

Its a mess all round.

[mzteris]

7. homeschooling is awesome!!

Don't ever let anyone tell you that you "can't". In this information age, there is almost NOTHING that you can't find out. Resources are everywhere.

It is cheaper to homeschool, even not in contrast to "private" school". Fewer clothes for you (for work) and the kiddos. Less emphasis on "what's the IN" thing the kid has to have, too. Eating at home. Growing your own food if you're so inclined is a great teaching tool AND money saver, too. :-)

In a world where your kid would get about 12 seconds of individualized attention in a classroom, homeschooling is infinitely superior.

[Ruby the Liberal]

8. I am a child of the '60s, so will take your word for it!

Too old to have to worry about that now.

:)

[amborin]

10. doesn't this require one parent not working? doesn't it mean upper income?

[mzteris]

11. not necessarily, no. . .

on the "one parent not working". Definitely NO on the "upper income"...

In all the years we homeschooled, I meet very few people who were not solidly middle class or less. There were a goodly number of "upper middle class", but the UPPER income? um - I "schooled" with only a couple (as in two) who might qualify for that.

There are most definitely more "middle and lower income" people homeschooling than upper income. (and one of my points was with all the layoffs and parents not working and the overcrowded schools - then that argument is a bit moot anyways...)

In my correspondence with hs'ers from all over the world, I'm here to tell you that there are single moms who do make it work. Single parents, two working parents (some arrange to have different shifts), grandparents, babysitters, co-ops, etc...

One of the luxuries of homeschooling is that it doesn't have to take place between 8 and 3. It's also way more efficient in that the kid gets more done in less time. And, if you analyze a typical "school day" - the hours of instruction aren't that high. I won't get into that part of it unless you want.

You don't have to "buy curriculums", you don't have to have fancy clothes or name-brand shoes nor the latest fashion. In fact, you not only don't have to have it, chances are it won't even be on the radar for your kids to WANT!

If you want to do it, it can typically be done, though sometimes you have to get VERY creative. although, yeah, there are some cases where it really isn't an option for whatever reason.

But given any kind of option at all besides treating a kid like cattle in a room with SEVENTY kids?!? I think I'd start to get pretty darn creative, don't you?

[Maat]

13. +1

We adjusted after it became necessary to homeschool - one just realizes when it is necessary, when it's what works for one's kid.