Charlotte Public Schools: Prune the Top

In the Observer, "Amid protests, CMS sets stage for teacher cuts."

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board on Tuesday approved a plan that could lead to laying off 456 teachers and 83 assistant principals, but not before getting an earful from anxious, angry teachers who demanded more administrative cuts first.

Superintendent Peter Gorman stressed that the plan was only that – a plan, one made necessary by budget shortfalls that officials say could be as large as $87 million. Money from the federal stimulus legislation might help, he said, but planning for class schedules and renewing teacher contracts requires action by this spring.

Watch out for the plan that Peter Gorman and the school board cook up!

When Gorman came to Charlotte as the new Superintendent of schools he immediately set upon creating nine separate "learning centers" at a total cost of around $9 million. This restructuring seemed to put down calls from teachers and families for more localized participation in CMS policies. I also think it helped get the school board's $500 million bond passed (it had failed a referendum in the previous year).

But now with tax revenue shrinking and budget cuts on the horizon, these "learning centers" (really administration centers) must be trimmed or better, eliminated. These centers (totaling approx 100 staffers) effectively are mini-systems within larger CMS system. Under Gorman, the number of CMS administrators has ballooned, especially for the $100, 000+ salaried set.

Eliminating teachers when the schools are swelling with students just sounds wrong. Granting bonuses to administrators that earn $100,000 when some schools don't have adequate school supplies is indefensible.

No cuts for any "learning center" staffers? No cuts for the 180 paid consultants/supervisors or 700 clerical workers? Really Gorman... just cuts for teachers and assistant principal staff?

While I do think the teacher compensation structure must change to becomee more performance- than tenure-based, I side with the CMS teachers on this one.

I've grown weary of Peter Gorman's "empire-building" and agree with one sign at yesterday's teacher rally that read "Prune the Top."