Gilbert district prepares to lose 400 teachers

Lots of tears were shed and dozens of emotional stories were told Tuesday night by teachers, parents and students rallying behind more than 400 Gilbert Unified School District teachers who were told their jobs are not safe for the upcoming school year.

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After an hour and a half of testimony from the overflowing boardroom of more than 300, the Gilbert school board unanimously approved the cuts, saying they had no other choice to help address a potential $27 million shortfall next school year.

However, board members vowed to work hard to hire many of those teachers back.

Almost 270 first-year teachers are among the cuts. Some of the teachers are new graduates in their first year of teaching, while others have master's degrees and many years of experience in other districts, but were in their first year in the Gilbert district.

Several parents and students rallied behind Patricia Ubrig, a Mesquite High School choir director who is in her first year in the district. Ubrig worked for 19 years in the Phoenix Union High School District and has a master's degree in vocal performance from Arizona State University.

Bright yellow fliers were passed around to the audience with photos and Ubrig's credentials. "Since when does experience NOT count?" rang out at the top of the flier.

Fourteen teachers who received letters of intent to work in the district for the upcoming school year will be rescinded.

About 140 teachers with short-term contracts, including at least 30 of those employed under the phased retirement program, are also being told their contracts will not be renewed for the upcoming school year.

Gilbert High School math teacher Rena Salvidge is one of those retired teachers. She taught in the district for 23 years before retiring and coming back this school year under a one-year contract through the Smart Schools Plus company.

"I would not have participated if I had known it would only be for one year," Salvidge told the board.

If she hadn't retired and been contracted through Smart Schools Plus, she would have had the seniority and her job would have been among "those most protected," she said. As she returned to her seat, many in the audience gave her a standing ovation.

School districts benefit from hiring these retired teachers because they get experienced employees back, or from other districts, without having to incur certain costs such as health insurance and paying into the state's retirement system. The Gilbert district saved about $1 million last year by hiring these retired employees.

Salvidge argued that most of these retired employees were recruited to be a part of Smart Schools Plus. However, now those employees are being told they don't have a job next school year.

School districts have a state-mandated deadline of April 15 to notify certified employees if they will not be receiving a contract for the following school year.

Legislators are working to address a possible $3.3 billion shortfall in revenues next fiscal year, which begins July 1.

The affected teachers were told Friday their jobs were in jeopardy. With the board approving the cuts Tuesday, district officials will now send out letters and officially tell those teachers their contracts may not be renewed next school year.

First-year teacher Stacey Butler, who teaches Spanish at Mesquite High School, said she was "surprised and disappointed" when told Friday in a group of about 20 teachers that her position would be cut. Butler graduated from Mesquite High in 2003 and wanted to come back to work in the district.

After rumors were swirling, Butler told her students Tuesday she may not be back next school year. But she told them if she was not hired back, she wouldn't leave for another district, but instead go back to get her master's degree from Arizona State University.

"It hurt to hear this news because I'm lucky enough to work with students dedicated to their education, and I love my job," said Butler, 24.

Several parents who spoke were concerned about how their child's education would be affected with possible larger class sizes and good teachers who may not be back next year. Many of those parents had students involved in the district's special education department.

Yvette Christiansen has a first-grade daughter with autism at Gilbert Elementary School. She begged the board to reconsider the job cuts.

"Please stay away from special education as much as possible," Christiansen said. "(My daughter's teacher) has done such a good job. It's heartbreaking."

Christiansen is a first-grade teacher in the Mesa Unified School District who was told she is losing her job. Her benefits will end in May, and she is due to have another daughter in June.

Sherri Balyoz has two children at Desert Ridge High School. Her freshman daughter is on the swim team, and the coach is a first-year teacher. Her sophomore son is involved in FFA, and at least one of his agriculture teachers is a first-year teacher.

"Where's the stimulus money (President Barack) Obama is talking about," said Balyoz, who is considering putting her children in private school. "We're talking about our future leaders of the world, not just a small community."

At least two board members had tears in their eyes as they addressed the audience, and all of the board members reiterated the hard decision they had to make.

Board member Van Dunham wept as he spoke.

"This move isn't predicated by a lack of value (of the teachers who may lose their jobs)," said Dunham, who has taught for 36 years. "It's being dictated by the state. We need your help to lobby the legislators."

Board president Thad Stump said the "reality" is the "first thing" being cut "is really the last thing that should be cut."

"We are making a mistake, but I don't see any other options," said Stump, adding he will spend the next two months making sure the district explores all budget options. "Our hope and desire is the pain won't be as deep. We need to be united and make the best of the situation."

Board member Helen Hollands said when her daughter came home and started talking about all the names of teachers who would be affected, the numbers Hollands had worked with over the past several months were becoming names and faces.

"It's devastating to hear these Mesquite High School names," said Hollands, who made the motion to approve the cuts. "There's a story and life behind every one of those names. ... I will do everything in my power to hire back as many, if not all, of those teachers. I'm sorry."