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Curriculum committee hears plan to cut 11 media coordinator roles, shift to cluster-based model
Summary
District staff told the curriculum committee the media coordinator restructure is intended to balance a projected $10 million state funding shortfall by consolidating positions into a cluster model that keeps elementary schools staffed full time while sharing coordinators at middle and high schools; staff said about 6–7 coordinators resigned or retired and that those who applied will be offered new roles.
Union County Public Schools officials told the curriculum committee on May 20 they plan to eliminate 11 current media coordinator positions and move to a cluster-based "instructional media and learning coordinator" model to help close a projected $10 million state funding gap.
Dr. Houlihan introduced the information item, saying the district faces a $10,000,000 deficit in state funding and that "$3,000,000 of that deficit is a loss of compensation for all certified staff due to the current state supplement guidelines that we will be ineligible for." He and other staff said the county's property-wealth calculation is expected to make the district ineligible for a state supplement next year under the current threshold.
The proposed model retains a dedicated media specialist at every elementary school while having middle and high schools share one coordinator per cluster. Miss Remmer said the role will "continue to support literacy, research, and library spaces while supporting the navigation of digital learning tools and technology" and will prioritize collaboration and professional development across schools.
Staff described the implementation parameters: the model requires roughly 39.5 total positions to operate, with 2.5 positions funded through repurposed restart funds at certain schools. Officials said many vacancies already existed; HR reported the district started with 48 media coordinator positions but that not all were filled and that about 6–7 coordinators resigned or retired before or during the restructuring process.
A committee member asked whether anyone had been fired as part of the change; a human-resources official disputed that characterization, saying, "Nobody was fired, laid off, not offered a position," and added that everyone who applied for the new instructional media and learning coordinator roles "will receive a position." The official said those who chose not to apply will be assisted into other district roles where possible.
Several board members pressed for clearer, earlier communication about the restructure. One member urged staff to continue discussions with the district's legislative delegation to seek reconsideration of the state supplement threshold; staff said they are modeling multiple budget scenarios and will brief the finance committee as the general assembly's actions become known.
The item was presented as information; the committee did not take a formal vote on the restructure at the May 20 meeting. The district said it aims to complete interviews and staffing decisions by the end of next week and to communicate school assignments before the end of the school year.
