By Amy Joles
(Contact / Staff Bio)
May 13, 2009 - 10:41 a.m. EST
CARO — Teachers who have 20 years or more with Caro Community Schools could be eligible for $30,000.
The Caro Board of Education voted Monday to approve a voluntary separation agreement for high seniority teachers. The deal would be open for the next 30 days.
“It’s a very reasonable incentive and I would expect people to participate in it,” Superintendent Neil Beckwith told the board.
The $30,000 will be paid out over three years - $10,000 per year.
A minimum of six and a maximum of eight teachers must take the buy-out to make the money-saving strategy feasible for the school district.
Board members briefly considered offering a lesser amount.
“I think we need to consider a severance package that brings certified staff to the table,” said Lori Offenbecher, board president.
Previously, the district offered $21,000 paid out over three years to high seniority teachers. Several board members said current teachers told them that amount is no longer acceptable.
Board members also discussed offering a voluntary separation agreement to support staff. No action was taken; however, an amount of $18,000-$20,000 over two years was discussed.
The possibility of eliminating a custodial position with the retirement incentive was also discussed, along with other potential reductions in staff. Board members discussed eliminating a high school media center position, along with the special education supervisor. Additional staffing cuts could be made in the athletic department by eliminating some assistant coaching positions.
The district will also be able to transport children with one fewer bus run in the 2009-2010 school year to save money. They are still considering cutting a second run.
The district also determined they would lower their wages for substitute teachers to $70 per day.
“With paraprofessionals, I can’t predict that,” said Beckwith. “Our building administrators have done a great job using these people in title-type programs so they are really attached to certain kinds of programs that are hard to get rid of.”
All of the cuts are being considered in order to make up an anticipated $945,000 deficit.
Beckwith told the board that they should still be prepared for additional layoffs.
One student, LeRae Mossner, told the board that she was concerned that the choir program would be eliminated due to budget cuts.
“Without music, us kids don’t have the opportunity to open up and be kids,” said the Caro High junior. “It’s something that lives in us and it’s something we need. My music and my academics shouldn’t be taken away from me.”
In other business, the board heard from two parents involved in the Caro Tiger Sharks Swim Club. The parents told the board that they were concerned with the controversy surrounding the program, lack of discipline and allegations of theft, which caused the resignation of Coach Larry Harmon.
“Something needs to be done to get him back,” said parent Jennifer Austin.
Amy Joles is the editor of the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at joles@tcadvertiser.com.
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May 13, 2009
10:21 p.m.Report inappropriate content
tiger sharks are going to be at a loss without larry harmon.
May 14, 2009
8:02 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Choir Program?? Join a church and take a science or math class instead. No offense intended.
May 14, 2009
9:28 a.m.Report inappropriate content
I wish all of the retirees well. You will be missed. The school is losing many fine educators.
May 14, 2009
8:13 p.m.Report inappropriate content
No offense taken - just a little frustrated. Fortunately for our students, the majority of our Administrators recognize that music is based on science and math. Those choir students utilize math while working the theory of the song (counting, notes and solfege), and science each time they take in a breath and sing their part while reading the words, notes and accurately counting. By the way, statistics show that those students involved in music (any kind of music) have higher math, science, and reading grades than those students who aren't involved in music. I applaud our fantastic music teachers at Caro who DAILY work cross-curriculum to aid our children! Caro schools, like all the schools in our area are faced with extremely difficult decisions for next year. I wish them great patience and wisdom.
May 14, 2009
10:41 p.m.Report inappropriate content
The music program is a very important part of the school. Hopefully it will not suffer from cutbacks.
May 15, 2009
9:32 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Join the church choir, that’s a great thought. Due to the choir program at Caro Schools, the student that spoke at the board meeting is the Junior Choir Director at our church. She has been to regional and states with the choir. The choir program has received a superior rating at both. As well she has received a one rating as a solo vocalist. Maybe music is not important in you world, but in the world of the Arts it is very important. Have you ever heard of Interlochen?? Well it is the best music camp and school for the Arts in the state, second best in our country. Very few students are accepted into that program. Oh by the way there are three students from Caro that have been accepted into that program in past two years. Do you think they got there without the help of the choir program?
Oh and just so you know Science, Math and English go hand in hand with Music. Students that succeed in Music have a higher GPA than students that have not been involved in the Arts programs at their schools.
Here is a little proof for you, happy reading.
www.nasaa-arts.org/publications/critical...
evidence.pdf
No offense taken.
May 18, 2009
8:34 p.m.Report inappropriate content
"In other business, the board heard from two parents involved in the Caro Tiger Sharks Swim Club. The parents told the board that they were concerned with the controversy surrounding the program, lack of discipline and allegations of theft,which caused the resignation of Coach Larry Harmon."
Are we sure these are the "REAL" reasons that caused the resignation? I think if people are interested in the "REAL" reason, someone would be contacting parents of the club to see what "allegations" were really being thrown out there. 2 families were metioned with ALOT more than what was/is in the article!
May 19, 2009
8:09 a.m.Report inappropriate content
i have heard lots of very disturbing allegations with the tiger sharks.. and from what i heard it does involve 2 families.. at the board meeting the reasons for the resignation was the cleaned up version.. the story will come out sooner or later.
the harmons were good coach's, too bad the school didn't back them up... but since when has the school done the right thing..
May 20, 2009
10:32 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Countryside,
That link you posted could not be retrieved via internet, thank you for the suggestion. I have heard of Interlochen and actually knew an acting coach/counselor who worked with Bruce and Demi's kids. It is a great honor for this student and I do wish her well. Just wondering how many people are in the choir program? With this "melting pot" world we live in, should we eliminate some foreign language and lessen our children and their capability to communicate with the many minorities in our country? Is singing more important? I am merely suggesting that choir has alternative opportunities outside of school. Obviously if this student is heading to Interlochen, other methods of voice coaching are being looked at. She should feel lucky they had a program to begin with, many if not most HS in Michigan have no choir program. I do find music very important in life, as should this student. But with all the budget cuts and economic woes, in no way will choir ever top my list of a necessary program.
I also believe athletics prove to help GPA as well, and they are suffering cuts as well. It is a shame for this student that choir does not bring in as much money annually for the school in comparison to athletics.