[Nfbwv-talk] Article from Hampshire Review

[Smyth, Charlene R]

I would like to thank Karen Swauger for making me aware of this article.

Staff cut as WVSDB reorganizes.
ROMNEY

The largest personnel shakeup in the history of the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind has been approved by the State Board of Education.

Nineteen school and residential staff received layoff notices  officially called "reduction in force"   although 4 of them were then transferred to other positions.

Seven more people were also transferred because more than 50 percent of their described duties will change in the employment year beginning July 1.

Another 30 employees signed mutual agreements that changed either their job titles or duties.

The reorganization eliminates 32 positions at WVSDB, which is Hampshire County's 2nd-largest employer, but it creates 22 new full-time positions and 1 part-time job.

That adds up to a net loss of 9.4 positions although the state Department of Education's General Counsel Heather Hutchens told the Charleston Gazette-Mail last week that the moves created a net loss of 7.

The State Board of Education approved the personnel moves at its monthly meeting Thursday after a 1-hour, 45-minute discussion in closed session.

Notices went out to staff in early March, but WVSDB Superintendent Martin Keller would not comment on them until after the state board acted.

Keller said the overhaul was a result of a state-mandated review of WVSDB's programs and practices "to ensure the running of a thorough and effective educational system.

Keller and the school's leadership were assisted in the program review and subsequent personnel reorganization by DeEdra Bolton, a consultant hired in February at a rate of $70 an hour.

Bolton previously served as superintendent of Grant County schools, brought in by the state when it took over control of the county, but retained by the county after the local board regained control.

In addition to reorganizing staff to bring it in line with program objectives, the state board's attorney, Mary Catherine Tuckwiller, told the Gazette-Mail that the cuts were made in anticipation of budget cuts for the coming fiscal year.

The 2017-18 state budget approved April 9 by the Legislature, but vetoed last Thursday by Gov. Jim Justice, included $13.8 million for WVSDB, a nearly identical amount to the budget it received for the current fiscal year.

At the top, the school eliminated the year-round position of athletic director and physical education teacher.

The man who has held that post for years, Bob Haines, has been reassigned as a P.E. and driver's ed. teacher. An extra-duty contract for an athletic director has been created.

The position of director and teacher of the multi-sensory program has been eliminated in favor of a similar position of principal and teacher.  Camella Hardinger, the former Hampshire High principal who left the county system to be the MSP director was laid off in the process.

A $65,000-a-year position for an interpreter and executive assistant to Keller will be eliminated with the June 30 retirement of Ann Getty.

Six positions with the classification of aide and residential care specialist were eliminated, but 5 positions for residential care specialist only were created.

Besides the classrooms and residence halls, cuts reached into the business office, administration and maintenance.




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