Alternatives to CCS Staff Cuts
Letter from Chris Falk

I’m saddened to read the school board is considering further CCS staff cuts. The school’s failing infrastructure, sparse technology and temporary administrative leadership pose enough challenges to students without the added burden of increased class size. 
Staff reduction is the obvious path to a ‘flat budget’ and CCS administration was quick to forward the idea, but a more thoughtful, business-minded approach offers other possibilities. A look at the school year calendar suggests several. 
First, eliminate October school closure for NEA Convention Days.  Convention attendance isn’t mandatory, and many teachers enjoy two tax-payer funded vacation days as a result.  
Likewise, five school closure dates designated for Professional Development (PD).  Although PD is essential to any organization, rarely will a (successful) business close for across-the-board training. Instead, an individual employee approaches his/her supervisor to make a case for investing company resources.  
Couldn’t we do this at CCS, as well? Teachers requesting job-specific training can prepare a statement explaining the benefit(s) of the training to the school and students. When approved, the teacher will attend and, hopefully, share lessons learned with colleagues. Eliminating PD days will shorten the school year, reducing operating expenses. 
We can also make productive use of the six (full or half) days school is closed to accommodate ‘Teacher Inservice.’ I don’t know what happens during ‘Teacher Inservice,’ but I’ll wager CCS uses the time to accomplish the planning/administrative functions businesses address during the work day--without inconveniencing customers. Couldn’t teachers, rather than send kids home, work until 4 p.m. for several days? Hold working lunches?  Meet with parents before or after school? 
Charlotte’s growing community of dual-income parents must take time off work to facilitate school closure for a week of winter break, a week of spring break, ten days for Thanksgiving and ‘Holiday’ break, and so on. In this challenging economy, asking us to take more time off so teachers can attend a union meeting and conduct routine administrative functions asks a lot. 
I suggest teachers who want to save their 5th and 6th grade peers’ jobs, help the taxpayer, and best serve our children consider making these sacrifices. Now more than ever, the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.

Chris Falk