Teachers upset over losing jobs

By By Georgia E. Frye / staff writer
April 15, 2004
Even though West Lauderdale Middle School teacher April McCary said she is upset her teaching contract won't be renewed next year, she believes things will work out for the best.
McCary, a science teacher, is one of 44 Lauderdale County public school teachers most of whom taught electives or were in their first year at work who were told to find another job Wednesday.
The notices came before today's deadline to rehire teachers. Lauderdale County School Superintendent David Little blamed the action on the uncertainty of state public school funding.
State House and Senate members must approve education funding for elementary, secondary and higher education before the four-month, 2004 legislative session ends May 9.
In Meridian, School Superintendent Sylvia Autry said any layoffs in city schools will be based on teacher performance and not state funding. She said she wants to keep cuts as far as possible from the classroom.
At Lauderdale County's Northeast Middle School, Principal Richard Kelly said he is frustrated 10 of his school teachers were told to find a new job for the 2004-2005 school year.
Kelly said he has never had to eliminate so many teachers in the 11 years he has been principal at Northeast. He said he hopes teachers are eventually rehired after lawmakers agree on education funding.
But teachers aren't giving up hope some believe they'll be offered their jobs for the fall after the Legislature funds education.
Leann Oliver, an eighth-grade science teacher at West Lauderdale Middle School, said she isn't letting her pink slip affect what she is doing in the classroom.