Beloit board deadlocks on layoffs; approves resignations and retirements amid staffing cuts

The Beloit School District board on May 6 did not approve proposed economic layoffs contained in the personnel report known as Exhibit A, resulting in a 3-3 tie. The board later approved the resignations and retirements listed in Exhibit A unanimously.

Motion and vote: Board member Amy Levy moved to approve Exhibit A with the exception of items labeled "economic layoff." After discussion and a roll-call vote the board was split; the motion failed 3-3. Later in the meeting a separate motion to approve only the resignations and retirements passed unanimously.

What was discussed: Public commenters, staff and a district employee who is a licensed physical therapist detailed operational and legal concerns tied to proposed staffing reductions.

Physical therapy: Dr. Adam Weisman, a district physical therapist, told the board that reducing the district to one physical therapist would leave roughly 29 students on active caseload without school-based services and could shift those services to outpatient providers. He presented district-level math on billing and costs: "the cheapest in the area is actually the Beloit Health System at $70.8 per unit. That comes out to a financial expenditure of $8,212 a week or almost $328,000 for a school year by eliminating 1 position," Weisman said. He also warned that asking a remaining therapist to exceed professional scope could risk licensure and legal exposure.

Assistant principals and behavior supports: Teachers including Sherry Holcomb and other commenters said cuts to assistant principal and student services staff would worsen behavior management, reduce intervention time and increase staff departures. "We already have to use a service to fill our special ed department. They cannot continue to be pulled during their group times where they're delivering instructional minutes," Holcomb said. Another teacher, Tristan (email), described his assistant principal as central to classroom instruction and de-escalation, and said cutting that role would undercut goals the district listed in its referendum priorities (academic success, behavioral support and staff retention).

Business office staffing and extra duties: Administration reported the executive director of business services resigned, leaving a smaller business office team and prompting a discussion about adding one hybrid accounting assistant FTE. Finance and HR staff described high workload and the need to ensure statutory and audit reporting. The superintendent and business staff said they would consider a temporary or part-time option but stressed that long-term structure depends on filling the executive director position and on state budget outcomes.

Policy and compensation review: The board heard about a district policy that allows supervisors to recommend supplementary pay (5% to 15%) for employees who take on permanent additional duties. Administration recommended the policy be reviewed by the policy committee and suggested clearer administrative regulations to document how percentages are determined and how employees request additional compensation.

Superintendent's context: Superintendent Christopher (Doctor) Garrison said the district is working under severe financial constraints after failed referendums and that the biennial state budget, not yet finalized, could alter staffing decisions. He emphasized that many of the changes are financial rather than performance-related and that any reversal of layoffs would depend on future funding.

Ending: The failure to approve economic layoffs leaves the board's options open while the district proceeds to fill or reassign some vacancies; board members said they will revisit staffing once state aid and enrollment figures clarify the budget picture.