Mt. Vernon Register-News

Local

March 11, 2010

D-80 schools reducing staff

By RORYE O’CONNOR

rorye.oconnor@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — Mt. Vernon City Schools District 80 is reducing its staff nearly 10 percent due to nonpayment from the state and anticipated reduction of state funding.

District 80 released a list of 26 classified and certified staff, including 12 non-tenured teachers, who are included in a reduction in force or non-renewal.

“...Releasing 12 non-tenured teachers is not normal practice,” said District 80 Assistant Superintendent Dr. Tyler Brown. “This is a significant layoff and a big loss, and all of this is tied to the lack of funding and the financial problems of the state of Illinois.”

District 80’s costs are expected to be reduced by approximately $1 million through the cuts, covering one-third of the expected deficit in funding from the state for the next school year, Brown said.

To cover the additional roughly $2 million deficit, District 80’s plans include an approximately $1 million cut in operating costs, as well as drawing $1 million from the district reserves.

“These reductions were made due to finances,” Brown explained. “We have to staff based on the money the state gives us; we’re totally dependent upon funding.”

Because of the staff reductions, the district will see a two-to-three student increase in class sizes across the district, Brown said.

The staff included in reductions included staff from the Benjamin Franklin Early Education Center, the Primary Center, Zadok Casey Middle School and J.L. Buford Intermediate Center.

Staff from Benjamin Franklin Early Education Center included in the reduction in force or non-renewal are Alis Jones; Anjie Campbell; Dodi Sink; Deborah Stofferahn, an aide in teacher Kathleen Ray’s class; Deborah Clarke, a program aide in Jean Cralley’s class; LaTonya Davis; Gail Behm, a Head Start School Day teacher; Felicia Tennyson, a pre-kindergarten teacher; Sarah Mayberry, a pre-kindergarten teacher; and Laura Thomas, a pre-kindergarten teacher.

Those from the Primary Center included in the reduction in force or non-renewal are Becky Keef, aide; Zeny Jayne, aide; Brooke Smith, aide; Rian Connaway, aide; kindergarten teacher Ashleah Mathes; first grade teacher Tessa Stiegman; Christine Taylor, first grade teacher; Daniel Knox, third grade teacher; Ashley Moore; and Rebecca Frisby, third grade teacher.

Staff from the J.L. Buford Intermediate Center included in the reduction in force or non-renewal are Alfred Rouse, lunch program aide; Sarah Childers, program aide; and Brittany Villard, fourth grade teacher.

Those from Zadok Casey Middle School included in the reduction in force or non-renewal are Jean Jones, program aide; Elaine Dees, program aide; and Dustin Benscoter, eighth grade.

Text Only
Local