Seniority, Retirement Plans To Play A Role In KCMO Teacher Layoffs

[proud2BlibKansan]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - With a 5 to 4 decision, the Kansas City Missouri School Board voted to close 26 schools on Wednesday night. As a result of that vote, 700 employees, including 300 teachers, will lose their jobs.

Kansas City Missouri School Superintendent Dr. John Covington said closing 26 schools was a painful and emotional decision but one that will move the district forward.

"We are bound by Missouri state statue and local collective bargaining agreements as to how we make those cuts," Covington said.

Andrea Flinders, the president of the Kansas City Federation of Teachers, said the layoffs will be done by seniority. Flinders said the cuts might not be as deep as they appear because every year there are teachers who retire and resign.

more . . . http://www.fox4kc.com/wdaf-kcmo-teachers-layoff-plans-031110,0,2783573.story

[Catshrink]

1. Even if attrition eases the pain...

it doesn't ease the stress and the bad feelings. I feel so bad for you, your fellow teachers, and your students. We'll be losing some teachers but not nearly that many. It will hurt -- we're all hurting right now.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. We're all dealing with lots of changes

These are hard times for educators everywhere. But we'll get through it.