Chuck Hughes, RSS Board of Education
♦It is important that our teachers, administrators and support staff understand that the firing notifications that went out are not official until discussed and voted on by the Board of Education (BOE). I am informed that this unfortunate action is apparently necessary because the state legislation mandates a May 15th deadline for notification of dismissals. This date is well before the date they actually provide the BOE with budget allocations, thus, the school system is forced to consider the worst case scenario and act upon it.
I can assure those whose jobs appear to be in jeopardy, that, although there may be position losses due to attrition, firing teachers and staff will be one of the last options I and my colleagues will consider when addressing the budget deficit.
It should be obvious that the BOE and its excellent support staff have waited to the last minute to take this action, hoping that budget commitments from Raleigh would at best prevent the need for dismissals and at worst cut firings to a bare minimum.
