53 grant-funded positions are in jeopardy within the Bibb County School District.

The district informed employees in some grant-funded positions that funding for the positions will not be available for the 2013‐2014 school year. There are a total of 53 positions affected. The financial impact of discontinuing the positions is approximately $4.23 million.

The school district says Thursday's announcement is strictly a notification that positions are scheduled to be discontinued; not official notification that personnel will be terminated or non-renewed.

Building administrators are expected to work to secure positions for employees affected. Employees will be considered first for any open positions that become available either in their current school or any school or department within the District.

Employees in these discontinued grant-funded positions were informed at their schools on Thursday. The affected employees have contracts that will end on June 30, 2013.

“We want our employees who are affected to know that we understand their feelings and are working diligently to support them through this process,” said Dr. Kelley Castlin‐Gacutan, Deputy Superintendent of Operations.

The District will hold meetings on Friday, February 15, 2013, to provide more information to those affected. Information to be shared will include why the impacted positions were discontinued, options available for impacted employees, and information on other available services and support.

Beginning Friday, all certified staff throughout the District will be given Intent to Return Letters asking whether they plan to return to their position for the 2013‐2014 school year. After these commitments are returned, the Human Resources Department will identify available positions and will begin the process of considering employees affected by the reduction.

There are a variety of considerations for employee placement, reassignment, or continued employment. They include, but are not limited to: professional expertise, effectiveness, overall job performance, program needs, training, tenure status, level of certification, and length of continuous service.

The affected positions are largely grant‐funded. Prior to accepting any grant‐funded employment, personnel are informed of the possibility that the position may end due to lack of adequate funding.

According to Board policy, two of the most important functions of the Board of Education are to employ personnel and manage resources with the limitations defined by the funding sources available to the District. Board policy provides the Board with the right to “abolish job positions, to reduce the length of the work‐year and/or salary of certificated or non‐certificated personnel, or to reduce the number of employees when seeking to cope effectively with program changes or financial exigency (i.e. necessity).”

The school district says a formal Reduction in Force (RIF) is deemed necessary due to the following reasons:

- Expiration of grants
- Proposed changes in instructional models
- Budget overages
- Proposed changes in delivery of service

Affected grant‐funded positions include targeted positions involved in GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs)/AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), and staff supported by SIG (School Improvement Grant), and Instructional Coaches.

WGXA will have more information when it becomes available.