On Friday, Feb. 13, the JCPS Board of Education held a supplementary board meeting to vote on organizational changes to JCPS’ central office. The board voted 5-2, with members Taylor Everett and James Craig voting in opposition.
In JCPS, the organizational chart will eliminate 648 positions, reduce 32 and add 273. This will save the district an estimated $30.8 million affect the central office. These are positions held by employees who report to someone outside of the school building.
“We [the board] have never effectively communicated to the public what central office means in JCPS,” Craig said.
Specifically, Craig did not support the cuts because he believes the board doesn’t understand the impact that cutting central jobs will have.
“This is not a one-person job leading this district … It requires bringing people to the table early, listening carefully and building a plan together that reflects the expertise of those who are closest to the work,” he said. “We said that the student experience would be protected, and I don’t see that happening.”
Teachers are raising concerns about their jobs. They believe that JCPS is ignoring its teachers’ importance.
“It feels like we tend to be blamed, as if we’re the ones causing the financial problem, and we’re just trying to live and also do what’s best for our kids,” said one kindergarten teacher.
This budget’s approval is obviously perceived negatively, as seen from the audience of teachers’ reactions.
“We were told last week that our jobs are being overstaffed, and they’re not giving us a definition of what that means,” a JCPS parent and early childhood employee said.
Board members and attendees expressed frustration with the lack of communication about the specifics of the proposal.
“It was very unclear because of the way it’s written out … it’s a puzzle,” said a kindergarten teacher.
Though she chose to be anonymous, this teacher shares a common sentiment about the wording of the decision and the board not specifying what central offices were.
Board member Corrie Schull noted that teachers should be patient as the board manages the district’s debts.
“This is very difficult, but everyone should be clear that we are not done,” Shull said.
The meeting to carry out the budget cut vote that Shull calls a “herculean task” was promptly adjourned after counting each board member’s vote.
