7 of 10 Fox Point-Bayside Teachers Targeted for Layoffs Spared

Following two rounds of public hearings last week, the Fox Point-Bayside School Board spared the jobs of seven of 10 district staff issued preliminary layoff notices.

Among the layoffs finalized by the board in closed session was that of sixth-grade math teacher Sue Haferkorn, Fox PointNOW reports — whom teachers and parents passionately pleaded with school officials to retain during a the first round of hearings on May 7. Part-time teachers, Katie Tyk and Laurence Mala, were also laid off, though they are encouraged to reapply for their jobs, which are both set to expand to full-time positions in 2013-14, according to NOW. 

For weeks, parents and teachers have packed meetings to protest planned reductions to arts, general music, physical education and technology programs in the district and preliminary layoffs sent to the 10 staff members. As a result, parent David Braeger filed paperwork last week setting in motion a recall effort against School Board President Debbie Friberg, Vice President Tim Melchert and member Alice Lawton. 

"In the end, we didn't think the administration provided the burden of proof, and we couldn't with a clear conscience approve the layoffs," Friberg told NOW. "While fiscally not sustainable, with the evidence we were given it was the right decision."

Superintendent Rachel Boechler has said the district was overstaffed this school year as the board made a commitment to teachers — to ease concern following the implementation of Act 10 — that staffing levels would remain the same, but with the disclaimer that staffing changes would need to be explored the following year. 

The School Board is expected to discuss the scheduling changes at its next regular meeting May 21, though no action is currently scheduled to be taken. 

School officials say something has to give, with the district to remain overstaffed and education dollars frozen, under Gov. Scott Walker's proposed 2013-15, which includes a zero-percent, per-pupil increase in public school district's revenue limit.