Librarians, second language teachers among those to be laid off or bumped down

Posted: Jun 8, 2012 10:13 PM by Elizabeth Hill

Educators in St. Landry Parish have learned their fate in the school board's first round of layoffs.

The list, approved by the school board last night in a seven to four vote, includes the names of some 70 educators and support personnel who will lose their jobs.

Superintendent Joseph Cassimere pulled from over 20 categories of personnel to come up with this list. The categories range from education personnel to support, like custodians and clerks. Some groups will only lose one employee, others will lose them all.

In this phase one reduction plan, two groups of educators are losing a large proportion of personnel.

Of the parishes 22 second language specialist teachers, half will lose their positions. Nine will be terminated and two bumped down. That means they'll be assigned to their last position held or vacant position in area of certification.

Another area that will lose a large proportion of personnel is libraries. Eight of the parishes 15 librarians will be bumped down. That will leave schools like Beau Chene High School, Port Barre High, Opelousas Junior High and Park Vista Elementary without librarians.

We reached out to several school board members who either didn't return our phone calls or were unavailable for an interview.

Board member Anthony Standberry did tell us over the phone that in the schools without librarians, teachers will have to pick up the slack when they bring their students to the library.

He says in some cases, employees are being asked to take on extra duties, but remain at the same pay. Standberry, who voted in favor of the list, says these layoffs are unfortunate, but they had to be done.

The school system will also lose a large amount of special education aides and school nurses.