Petition to save teachers' jobs

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY.com) - Norfolk public school officials have said they need to cut 135 positions to balance the budget.

But when parents at Larchmont Elementary found out that included second grade teachers Mrs. Kuehl and Mrs. Chesson, they were not happy.

"We decided that we needed to take action," said parent Bev Rainey.

The two gifted cluster program teachers work part time on a flex schedule, sharing the responsibilities of one full time teaching position.

"We almost feel as if they're going to be terminated on a technicality," said parent Allison Erkelens. "They share a full time position...and they do it well."

Norfolk School officials say Mrs. Kuehl and Mrs. Chesson have annually contracted positions that are not guaranteed for renewal.

Norfolk Public Schools Chief of Operations Michael Spencer said, "By regulation, all public school systems must notify full-time, contracted teachers whether they have a position for the following school year by April 15. To meet this obligation and to meet our budgetary targets we had to notify all part-time, non-continuing, contracted employees that their position had been terminated."

If the money is there, the teachers' contracts could be renewed, either for the same classroom or a different one.

"We want to keep them right here at Larchmont they're a huge asset to our school," said Erkelens.

Dubbed the "dream team," a petition with more than 100 signatures is now circulating asking school officials to reconsider.

Norfolk school officials say it is their intent to hire back all or as many of the 135 positions as they can by looking at enrollment and content areas where teachers are needed.

The petition is at the link below:
 

www.ipetitions.com/petition/saveourdreamteam