NEWS

Muncie Community Schools to cut 37 teaching positions

Emma Kate Fittes
efittes@muncie.gannett.com
An elementary classroom in Muncie Community Schools.

MUNCIE — By the end of June, Muncie Community Schools is planning to get rid of 37 teaching positions to keep pace with its generally declining enrollment and ongoing financial problems.

The process is known as a reduction-in-force. Before officially laying off anyone, the district will wait to see how many teachers resign or retire. If not enough leave, the district will begin layoffs.

Some teachers already received a letter saying they could be laid off at the end of June. Superintendent Steven Baule said 16 letters were sent out this week. More could be sent, if necessary, to get to 37.

Baule said the goal is not to lay off anyone. But even with no layoffs, teachers could be moved to different classes or buildings to fill openings left by resignations or retirements.

The teachers who could be part of the RIF were chosen using the district's policy, which was created last year. It says MCS must look at the teacher's evaluation, any extra degrees or additional credit hours and their date of hire.

MCS approves new policy for potential layoffs

To save even more money, Baule is also looking at eliminating certified interventionists. Currently, the district has 15 certified teachers working exclusively with small groups of "at-risk" children, who classroom teachers identified as needing individualized help to learn.

Baule said they would be replaced with instructional aides, who don't have a teaching certification. That would save MCS $1.2 million, he said.

"We have to look at where can we provide the same services at a lower cost," Baule said.

But not everyone agrees a non-certified staff member can provide the same services as a teacher. The interventionists are a big part of the 8-Step Process, which teachers and administration frequently credit with helping the district raise its state grade over the years.

"The result could potentially mean that a child could be removed from the classroom up to an hour a day to work with an aide versus a certified teacher," Muncie Teacher Association president Pat Kennedy explained in an email. "These children are deemed in need of intensive supports based on continuous progress monitoring."

Evaluation of Superintendent Baule won't be public

Baule said the final decision hasn't been made on those positions. District spokesperson Ana Pichardo clarified Thursday morning those 15 positions would be part of the 37 reduced positions. While no interventionists have been laid off yet, three resigned from Grissom Elementary during Tuesday's board meeting.

Rumors have also been circulating that librarian positions will be eliminated. Baule told The Star Press that only one librarian has been cut districtwide.

The reduction in teaching staff isn't necessarily surprising, and this isn't the first time the district has considered a RIF.

Last year, former superintendent Tim Heller prepared for a RIF, but ended up not needing to after employees retired. At the time he said the district cut 21 teachers, 28 aids or assistants and one nurse. But back then the administration thought they were dealing with a $3 million deficit. A financial review under new administrators this year found a $16 million deficit.

The number of students in MCS has been declining for decades. This school year, between September 2015 and February 2016,  the district had 98 students leave. This doesn't help an already difficult financial situation, since the state gives schools money based on the number of students enrolled.

Fewer students means the district needs fewer teachers. It could also mean the district needs less space, but Baule has not brought up closing a building at any point during his first year, and a strategic plan in development throughout this school year has not suggested closing any more buildings.

Review of MCS finances isn't pretty

Heller and Baule both acknowledged Central High School is "overstaffed" following the consolidation. Heller said at the time the extra staff was purposeful to help smooth the transition. Baule said now it can be cut down.

Contact families & education reporter Emma Kate Fittes at 765-213-5845 and follow @EmmaKate_TSP