Editorial 5/12/11

Schools: First in, last out?

It is a tough time for rural Whitman County schools.

Between declining enrollments and state cutbacks, it may get even tougher.

Small, local schools are finding they can no longer operate as they have in the past.

Cuts are becoming increasingly necessary. In fact, several local schools are facing reductions in force. That means some staff may have to be cut to meet the new limitations of budget.

When those cuts affect the teachers, the decisions can be difficult and traumatic.

Nationally, public education is under intense scrutiny. Many long accepted tenets are being criticized and threatened.

One of these is tenure and the prerogatives of seniority. In the case of small rural schools, this is no longer a theoretical or philosophical question. It becomes a very real issue.

Like small teams, small schools do not have backups and deep benches. Not only do teachers sometimes cover more than one subject and one grade, one teacher may provide the expertise for an entire department.

And, that one teacher could be a recent hire.

Traditionally, the newest hires with the least seniority are separated first. But, what if that new hire is specialized and functions as an entire department, being the only one qualified to teach certain basic subjects?

A reduction in force based on seniority in such a circumstance could devastate a school’s ability to provide quality education.

“First in, last out” may not work all the time any more.

Gut wrenching decisions may be necessary. Long-time teachers are part of a community and have ties with generations of families. They have valuable classroom experience and have been recognized for their work.

Still, longevity and seniority cannot be the only criteria in trying to meet the new realities.

School boards, administrations and patrons of school districts will have to make sure that balance is achieved in meeting the new difficulties and new demands. Every one will have to face some tough, gut wrenching decisions.

The quality of education has to be the primary focus in all decisions, no matter how difficult.

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