Feed Ohio Position Statement
Press Release
Parent Group Alarmed about Loss of Staff
Parent Group Airs Concerns
Reynoldsburg, Ohio, April 21, 2015:
Members of Raider Strong, a local parent advisory group advocating for students and families, are concerned about staffing levels for the 2015-2016 school year.
Members of Raider Strong have met with the district’s superintendent in the past, concerned about the expected number of teachers leaving local classrooms come spring. It is of great concern to Raider Strong the manner in which some of our educators are leaving, and we fear that many will not be replaced.
During a Parent Advisory Group meeting in March, Superintendent Tina Thomas-Manning presented those in attendance with data indicating that Reynoldsburg is 46 teachers over district requirements for the upcoming school year. Raider Strong feels that while this may look to be the case on paper preliminarily, the reality is that classrooms are very close to negotiated class sizes and are currently at the best levels in order to serve all children.
In light of the high number of resignations on the April Board of Education agenda, coupled with the district’s recent unsolicited report of staffing levels, Raider Strong is concerned that positions will not be filled come the start of the 2015-2016 school year. In addition, it is Raider Strong’s belief that some of those resigning are being forced out (through non-renewal of contracts despite past positive performance).
To date, 14 teachers contracts have not been renewed, as compared to a total of six last year. Raider Strong anticipates the number of teachers leaving Reynoldsburg to climb before July 10, a deadline required by the state.
In the district’s most recent contract negotiated with the Reynoldsburg Education Association. “The parties agree to aspirational goals of 25 students per (core) class in grades K-4 and 32 students per (core) class in grades 5-8 and 35 students in grades 9-12.” “Every effort will be made to keep the number of pupils in a classroom consistent with the space, equipment, and subject matter.”
These numbers were meant to be limits -- sensitive to class structure, demographic, scheduling and substance.
Raider Strong is anticipating more resignations in May and June. But April was an important month for Reynoldsburg. Teachers with limited contracts which expire in the current year must be observed at least three times and must be notified in writing no later than April 30 of the board of education’s nonrenewal action based on the superintendent’s written recommendation not to re-employ. Failure of a board to provide such notice automatically results in re-employment. Each nonrenewed teacher is entitled to a written statement of circumstances surrounding the nonrenewal and to a board of education hearing, should they choose to challenge the nonrenewal..
“Continually cutting teaching positions – or failing to refill them -- only weakens the quality of our students’ education,” said Margaret Mary Luzny, president of Raider Strong. “Many teachers have left the district in part due to the strain of not enough teachers in the district. Some we fear are being forced out.
“It is our hope that our district’s leadership will consider last year’s high rate of turnover, and do everything in its power to retain our quality educators this spring, thus ensuring a solid foundation upon which we continue to build solid programming,” added Luzny.
Raider Strong is a non-profit Political Action Group that was created to support excellence and high quality education in the Reynoldsburg City School District. Our vision is to foster an open relationship between the community, teachers, the administration, and the Board of Education in Reynoldsburg in support of our mission in the hopes of creating a high quality educational system in which all children achieve their educational goals.
Raider Strong meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m., at Messiah Lutheran Church in Reynoldsburg.
For more information, contact Debbie Dunlap, Communications Chair, at (614) 581-2870, or Luzny at (614) 5703173.
Superintendent Operates Without Goals
1/28/2015
Parent Group Airs Concerns
Reynoldsburg, Ohio, January 28, 2015: Reynoldsburg City Schools Superintendent Tina Thomas-Manning, celebrating one year on the job January 27, 2015, continues to operate in her role as the district’s top administrator without goals.
Raider Strong and its membership feels this is a breach of contract between Thomas-Manning and Reynoldsburg’s Board of Education.
Thomas-Manning entered into a ‘Superintendent Elect’ Contract on January 27, 2014, with Reynoldsburg’s Board of Education, as witnessed by then-board President Andrew Swope and current Treasurer Tammy Miller.
“The Board hereby employs the Employee, and the Employee hereby accepts employment, as Superintendent Elect of the Reynoldsburg School District commencing on May 1, 2014, and ending on July 31, 2014.” The contract was “entered” on January 27, 2014.
In a subsequent contract, transitioning Thomas-Manning to the full role of Superintendent beginning August 1, 2014 (also dated January 27, 2014), the agreement clearly states, “The board shall evaluate the Superintendent at least once each year and in accordance with Board policy. The Board and Superintendent shall mutually adopt goals consistent with the job description of the Superintendent.” (Italics added for emphasis.)
Raider Strong has addressed this concern with Thomas-Manning, asking publically for her goals at the December 16, 2014, regular monthly meeting. Later, the group adopted a position statement asking for Thomas-Manning’s goals by January 27, 2015, one year after her official hire.
It is Raider Strong’s position that goals are key to the success of any individual or organization. “District goals are measured by the state through the Ohio Department of Education’s annul state report card. Teacher goals are measured according to contract language negotiated in the fall of 2014. Superintendent goals are also required, as stated in the contract Tina Thomas-Manning signed. It is these goals that are used in her annual review clearly stated in her current contract with the Reynoldsburg City School District and the Reynoldsburg Board of Education,” the group’s Position Statement outlines.
“There are systems in place to measure student achievement, educator achievement, administrator achievement, our district achievement – yet the system to measure our superintendent’s achievement remains unaddressed,” said Margaret Mary Luzny, president of Raider Strong. “We asked for goals by January 27, 2015, but none were adopted at the regular January board meeting. We are clearly disappointed.”
Raider Strong is a non-profit Political Action Group that was created to support excellence and high quality education in the Reynoldsburg City School District. Our vision is to foster an open relationship between the community, teachers, the administration, and the Board of Education in Reynoldsburg in support of our mission in the hopes of creating a high quality educational system in which all children achieve their educational goals.
Raider Strong meets on the last Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m., at Messiah Lutheran Church in Reynoldsburg.
For more information, contact Debbie Dunlap, Communications Chair, at (614) 581-2870, or Luzny at (614) 5703173.
Parent Denied Voice at Board Meeting
School Board Members Meet but Deny Public Participation
Reynoldsburg, Ohio, January 21, 2015: A Reynoldsburg parent and the president of Raider Strong was turned away Tuesday, Jan. 20, when she arrived at the regular monthly board meeting asking to speak.
In the past, anyone wishing to address school board members during the group’s Public Participation portion of the monthly agenda, could either contact one of the board members in order to express interest in speaking, or fill out a comment card just prior to the meeting.
But at the Jan. 20th regular monthly meeting, Margaret Mary Luzny was told the option to fill out a comment card prior to the meeting was no longer available.
According to the board policy, adopted in March of 2012, “It is suggested, although not required, that persons or delegates desiring to be heard before the Board regarding topics not on the prepared agenda notify the Superintendent and/or Board President of the topic no later than seven calendar days in advance of the meeting.” In the past, forms were available at the meeting for parents or participants wishing to address the board.
A formal change in policy has not been adopted since 2012. The public was not informed of the abrupt change in procedure which appears to be a violation of policy.
“It was my intent to address the district’s Open Enrollment Policy which was up for discussion last night,” said Luzny. “My notes indicated as much. But I was denied a voice. This has never been done in the past. The only time community members were denied a voice was during a recent month when the number of participants were clearly going to overextend the comment time allowed by the board.” [“At every regular Board meeting, the agenda may include a total of 30 minutes for public concerns where individuals may address Board members.”-- BDDH (Also KD)]
Luzny feels this is a very conscious move by the board’s new president, Elaine Tornero, to control who speaks during the monthly meetings. What was common practice in the past was blatantly thrown aside, she said, with Tornero’s new role.
Raider Strong is a non-profit Political Action Group that was created to support excellence and high quality education in the Reynoldsburg City School District. Our vision is to foster an open relationship between the community, teachers, the administration, and the Board of Education in Reynoldsburg in support of our mission in the hopes of creating a high quality educational system in which all children achieve their educational goals.
Raider Strong meets on the last Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m., at Messiah Lutheran Church in Reynoldsburg.
For more information, contact Debbie Dunlap, Communications Chair, at (614) 581-2870, or Luzny at (614) 5703173.