BURLINGTON, N.C. — Some Alamance-Burlington School System staff members are facing an uncertain future, which comes amid the school system's budget crisis.
The school system proposed a deficit reduction plan, with possible staff cuts on Friday. Before school board members vote, they're trying to weigh the pros and cons.
"When you're looking at people you know, many of whom are friends, they've got families. It's hard to impact their employment, but it also has a potential impact at this point. What does that look like for them? If this passes on Tuesday, our goal is certainly for everybody to keep their jobs within ABSS, but obviously, they will look different come July 1," explained ABSS Board Chair Sandy Ellington-Graves.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Bill Harrison broke down the proposed changes over the phone on Monday.
There are many details, but here are some main points:
Under the proposal, 38 teacher coaches and seven graduation coaches will go back into the classroom and teach. Librarians have the option to go back into the classroom and teach or manage both the middle and high school programs.
A former ABSS educator explained his frustration with the proposed changes.
"We should not have to lose librarians so that there isn't toxic mold. It's insane that we have so much wealth at the state level, and the Alamance-Burlington schools are going to suffer so much. So, the question is, 'Is the Alamance County commissioners able to make up the gap that shouldn't be there," said former ABSS teacher Matthew Townsend.
The board of education will vote on the proposal on Tuesday, May 14.
Staffing cuts were discussed back in January; however, the system found the resources to avoid cuts through the end of the school year. This proposal is for the upcoming school year.
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