Schools to eliminate 400 jobs

Teacher aides and other support staff are howling at a plan to cut some of their jobs because of budget woes.

By MONIQUE FIELDS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 19, 2003

PINELLAS PARK -- Elizabeth Frankenfeld has a choice to make.

She can apply for a position as a school bus driver or find another job. The one she has now as a teacher assistant with Pinellas County Schools may be eliminated as the district cuts its budget.

"I'm terrified," said Frankenfeld, a special education assistant at Nina Harris Exceptional Student Education Center in Pinellas Park.

Frankenfeld was among more than 700 principals, teachers and support personnel at a meeting Tuesday at Pinellas Park High School to hear about the district's plans to cut 400 teacher assistants, library assistants and other support staff because of a budget crunch.

Like Frankenfeld, they didn't like what they heard.

Cuts will be made by attrition and by seniority. Those who don't find something will be added to a placement list for 90 days. The best jobs offered to them were 150 positions driving school buses, which drew snickers from the audience.

The meeting was tense at times. Teacher assistants applauded and hollered in support of those who stood up and asked questions.

Stephanie Harris, a teacher assistant at Northeast High School, said she was insulted that the district implied teacher aides weren't smart enough to move into other jobs. She suggested the district invest in helping them move into teaching positions.

Harris and the audience received an apology, and district officials emphasized teacher assistants may apply for other jobs within the district. But many left unsatisfied.

"They don't have the answers yet, which is kind of upsetting, since they called this meeting," Frankenfeld said.

The cuts come on the heels of a $40-million shortfall. More than 500 disabled students left the district for private schools using McKay Scholarships, resulting in a $4-million loss.

The matter was further complicated when 854 fewer students than anticipated showed up at Pinellas schools last fall. Add to that the Class Size Reduction Amendment, which only recognizes certified teachers for funding, and the district has one huge dilemma on its hands. More cuts are coming, as early as March 18 when superintendent Howard Hinesley shares his ideas with School Board members.

Many of the teacher assistants said they are needed in the classroom, and the price for removing them will be high.

They help with autistic children, those with learning disabilities and severely and profoundly mentally handicapped children. Some provide services to only one child.

But the district officials said they are not eliminating teacher assistant positions.

"We are redirecting the number of teacher assistants," said Jan Rouse, assistant superintendent of middle school and exceptional student education. "There will still be assistants in classes where we have students with critical needs."

The district pitched its plan to train many of them as bus drivers, but that only brought more laughter from the audience.

Teacher assistants welcomed the opportunity for another job, but driving a school bus is one of the toughest in the district. Bus drivers have to get children to school as early as 7:20 a.m. and the last schools dismiss at 4 p.m. That makes for a split shift, not to mention a lot of headaches from rowdy passengers.

"I ride the bus," said Debora Lamp. "They deserve more money."

If Lamp loses her job, she won't apply for a bus driving position.

A few, though, talked with bus drivers after the meeting.

"I just feel I don't have a choice really," said Nicole Cooper, who works with autistic children. "I don't want to make the wrong decision and not have anything. I'll try bus driving. What will it hurt?"

Employee meetings

Three employee meetings are scheduled this week. Today and Thursday, teacher assistants and school district officials will meet at 10 a.m. at Osceola High School in Largo. A third meeting is scheduled at 10 a.m. Friday at Countryside High School in Clearwater.

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