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.
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.