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Teachers and residents urge board to refill five vacant positions; union and parents warn of larger class sizes
Summary
Public commenters and the North Pocono Education Association pressed the board to replace retiring teachers in English, math, guidance and elementary grades, warning that cuts will increase class sizes, reduce course offerings and harm student support services.
Multiple teachers, parents and the North Pocono Education Association urged the North Pocono School District board to reverse a decision not to refill five vacant positions, saying the change would harm students and the district’s reputation.
At the May meeting, commenter Julie Morris, a high school English teacher, said the board’s decision to fill an elective rather than replace a retiring English teacher will ‘‘harm your students in ways that the general public might not be aware of’’ and warned that larger English classes will reduce writing practice and individualized feedback. "Fill these positions for the good of the school and for the continued benefit of the students," Morris said.
John Croome, president of the North Pocono Education Association, told the board the districtis academically strong because of ‘‘the quality and quantity of our professional staff’’ and urged the board to replace retiring English, math, guidance and elementary teachers with properly certified educators to preserve program breadth and individual attention.
An online commenter who identified himself as Jason Algar, a high school teacher, argued the staff reductions would reduce dual-enrollment and AP offerings and increase out-of-pocket costs for families and for tutoring. Algar also wrote that the districthigh school student-to-math-teacher ratio would be about 28-to-1 under current staffing, compared with a Pennsylvania average he cited of 14-to-1.
The board accepted several resignations and approved routine personnel motions at the meeting, but there was no motion during the session to reverse the decision not to post or refill the specific retiring positions discussed by commenters. Board members acknowledged public comments and thanked departing employees whose resignations the board accepted.
Speakers at the public-comment period suggested the board consult veteran teachers on cost-saving alternatives instead of reducing core instructional staff. The North Pocono Education Association made a formal appeal to preserve core subject staffing; the board did not take immediate hiring action on those appeals during the meeting.
