Terminating Tenured Teachers Would Be "Costly"

The future is uncertain for Baldwin County Public Schools.
Monday, students at Daphne and Fairhope High Schools learned that their choir teachers were let go, and more teachers and staff could follow.
Fairhope also lost a dance teacher.
The school system is facing a $56 million dollar budget shortfall.
Tuesday night, the Baldwin County Board of Education will hold a special meeting to talk about a reduction-in-force policy.
The policy means some tenured teachers will be cut.
John Hudson with the Alabama Education Association represents Baldwin County Public School Teachers and other employees.
He said he hasn't heard any definite word about tenured teachers being terminated, but he said since even non-tenured teachers have contracts this year, he asked, "Is it worth it? In my opinion, it wouldn't be, because even the non-tenured teachers would be entitled to a due process hearing if they went that route."
Hudson said that means hearings would cost a lot of time and "it would cost a lot of money and, during each arbitration hearing, the teacher is placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of arbitration hearings."
Many parents of students at Daphne High School are still waiting to hear more about what exactly will be cut.
Fred Alexander said, "Of course, you're always worried about cutbacks, but sometimes you kind of see what they want to cut back and how they're going to do it and assess it from there."
Nancy Breaux said, "I'm concerned. The cutbacks affect the kids. I substitute teach. I'm afraid its going to affect me as well."
Zac Stevens is the brother of a Daphne High School Student.
He said, "I think its kind of a shame how we're taking away the fine arts from the schools. I think it gives the kids something to look forward to when they go to school."
But another parent, Kim McLain, said she wasn't worried about how the cuts will affect students just yet.
She said, "I don't know what all was involved in the cutbacks."
Hudson said he expects to meet with Baldwin County School Superintendent Faron Hollinger Tuesday to find out what proposals are being discussed.
Tuesday night's board meeting starts at 5 pm at the Central Satellite Office in Loxley.