Harwood School Board chair Scott Mackey assured that the proposed RIFs
will "have no impact on our student's ability to graduate."
EVALUATE THE IMPACT
"We won't know anything until the contract negotiations are finalized;
we'll look at the schedule and evaluate the impact on the budget and see
if we have to follow through on any of these," Mackey added.
"We're not going to deny any kid the requirements or delay or impact our
graduation," he continued.
RIF notifications were sent last month as a part of the school board's
effort to "preserve flexibility" and stay within the voter-approved
budget for 2010.
CONTRACTUAL COSTS
Since Harwood's contract with the teacher's union is currently
unresolved and set to expire at the end of this school year, the board
decided to send RIF notices in order to preserve flexibility since the
contractual costs and benefits aren't known as of yet.
RIF notices were issued to the most junior member of each department
with the exception of the math and science departments; Mackey said the
exception was the result of an existing vacancy based on a retirement.
The issuance of RIF notices is solely based on seniority through the
contract that the union and the school board operate under, according to
Mackey.
"We're continuing to resolve the contract; we hope to have it resolved,
ideally before July 1," Mackey concluded.
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