ROCKFORD, IL — It’s difficult to determine from information released by Rockford Public Schools what exactly the school system is losing as it eliminates 110 positions to restructure and close a $15 million projected budget deficit.
But one educator said it could cost the district valuable insight from a respected literacy expert as the district eliminated three central office administrative positions at the board’s March 24 meeting.
McIntosh Elementary School Instructional Coach Elizabeth Hand told school board members during public comments that among the cuts is the director of elementary curriculum, a position held by Anne Peiffer who she said guided the district to adopt a science of reading approach to language arts instruction.
Peiffer brought “coherence and research-based literacy instruction to every elementary school,” Hand said, urging the board not to cut the position. “Her work directly impacts foundational literacy, the single most important skill our children need. Teachers trust Annie because she has walked the walk. Because of her leadership, schools like mine have seen real measurable growth in student outcomes.”
Rockford School Board members approved a list of “honorable” dismissals effective at the end of this school year containing names of three certified central office administrators and 32 educational support personnel.
Board members approved the list of three administrators on a vote of 4-3. School Board President Paul Carpenter joined Board Members June Stanford, Patricia Chavez and Tiana McCall to approve the measure. Nicole Bennett, Kimberly Haley and Denise Pearson voted against it.
The dismissal of the support personnel was approved 6-1, with only Pearson voting “no.”
The documents the school district provided did not give job titles or locations.
Neither do the numbers add up to 110.
“The numbers reflected on the board agenda and HR report are lower because they only include noncertified positions that are both eliminated and not reassigned,” the district said in a written response to questions posed by the Register Star.
“In many cases, certified employees in positions that were eliminated are going to be reassigned into teaching positions and/or they can apply for other open roles within the district. Those are not reflected on the agenda. It is important to note that these reductions are not based on employee performance.”
Before the school board met, the district sent a message to news media saying officials would not take questions about the cuts.
The district blames the deficit on inflation and rising health care costs.
Cuts were said to mean fewer people assigned to things such as attendance specialists, academic support specialists and academy coaches, but so far no list has been released publicly of which specific functions are being cut.
To close the budget gap, the district planned to reduce central office positions by 12% and non-classroom school roles by 4%, impacting positions across the district. It is also cutting $2 million of the deficit from things like contracted services and travel, items that don’t require cutting positions.
Those impacted with teachers certification are being allowed to apply for vacant teaching positions or those that open through retirements or resignations. Other personnel could also shift to available positions that are focused on direct student support.
Carpenter said that because these were personnel matters and closed session items, they were approved by the board without discussion.
“There still will be jobs available that they can apply for,” Carpenter said. “The reason why there isn’t a list of 110 names is because most of them, the current position is being eliminated but they are able to roll right back into a teaching position.”
Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on X @jeffkolkey.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford schools lay off 35 to close budget gap
Reporting by Jeff Kolkey, Rockford Register Star / Rockford Register Star
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