Schools

Brighton School Board Considers Layoffs for 3 Administrators

The layoffs are part of the district's deficit elimination plan for the 2013-14 school year.

Many residents are concerned with the Brighton Board of Education's decision to consider laying off three administrators within the next month. 

Jennifer Evans, a Scranton Middle School teacher, addressed the board as a school of choice parent Monday night, asking them to stop some of the rumors going around the district.

"My children attend Hornung, and I'd like to know what is the plan for facilitating this building with no administrator...and there's discussion taking place for secretarial and other staff cuts," Evans said. "How can a building run effectively and efficiently if you're eliminating two school administrators? I love this district, I want to keep my kids here. But I'm very concerned over the fact that you're eliminating a couple of key positions in the daily lives of our children."

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The layoff's are part of the district's deficit elimination plan to restructure principals to save $312,279. Layoff notices have already gone out to three administrators being considered: Hornung Elementary Principal Susan Johnson, Maltby Assistant Principal Jeff Eisele and Brighton Community Education Director Anne Renne, effective June 30. 

Superintendent Greg Gray said the district does not need all three administration positions to get the full amount, but when laying off from a division, he lays off more than needed to create a cushion. Gray said he hopes to be able to call one of the administrators back at a later date, with board approval. 

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In the meantime, Gray said he will be working with the remaining administration team to ensure all the positions are covered. 

"I'm probably going to end up at a building level at some particular point, Dr. Gistinger (Assistant Superintendent of Finance) will probably take over some responsibilities and Dr. Surrey (Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum) will probably end up with her office in a building level as well," he said. "We'll do whatever it takes to pitch in and make sure our budget's in good shape and that we service kids."

The additional responsibilities will be on top of the three administrators' current job duties. 

Gray said he doesn't foresee having to layoff any additional staff or teachers before the end of the year, despite the reduction in teaching staff also outlined in the deficit elimination plan. 

The plan calls for a reduction of 10.5 teachers, but Gray said the district already has enough retirements and resignations to fulfill those positions. 

"It will be close," he said. "Right now, we already have the 10.5 in the deficit elimination plan. Beyond that, which we're hoping to do, you could see a couple of layoffs, but it would be very minimal."

The board will hold a special meeting April 29 to decide whether or not to proceed with the administration layoffs.


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