| Calhoun Schools reduced the number of their employees last night at the Board of Education meeting.
The annual Reduction in Force (RIF) is an event faced by nearly 40 county school systems because the number of pupils have declined.
"It is one of the most difficult things we do, to tell people they no longer have a job," said Superintendent Ron Blankenship. Blankenship has supported efforts to change the funding formula which drastically affects small, rural and economically disadvantaged counties.
He said it begins to affect the delivery of essential services, including instruction.
The board voted upon the elimination of about seven
professionals/teachers, two secretaries and a bus driver.
At least 22 individuals were placed on a transfer list, a result of the reduction.
Blankenship had announced the cuts would include two social studies teachers in addition to half-time instructors for family and consumer science and a special education teacher, in
addition to an assistant principal/alternative learning center instructor.
Also on the list was the elimination of three elementary school teaching positions, two from Pleasant Hill and one from Arnoldsburg.
The service staff cuts included the Middle School secretary, Blankenship's secretary and a bus driver.
Most of the names of the individuals were not on the list, other than Stephanie Carpenter and Kristie Ritchie.
The board accepted the retirement of longtime school employee Jean Simers, effective June 30th. Other resignations included Trina Beall, administrative assistant for the Follies and Susan Metheney, a school custodian.
Board members voted unanimously to approve a Prior Service Policy.
Other details of last night's meeting will follow.
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