Dearborn Schools Change Employee Lay-off Policy

The Dearborn Public Schools Board of Education approved a state-mandated policy governing how the district handles layoffs, recalls and job placements for teachers and administrators at its meeting on Monday.

Board Policies 3130.10 and 3130.20 end the district's "Last In, First Out" practice through which staffing decisions are based solely on seniority, in favor of a new system that requires administrators to consider demonstrated effectiveness in the classroom.

Tenure is now the last of seven factors for layoffs and recalls. It will not be considered in a teacher's application for a different position, Dr. Glenn Maleyko, director of Human Resources for Dearborn Public Schools said.

A teacher's effectiveness rating will be determined according to their most recent performance evaluation. Teachers will be ranked as ineffective, minimally effective, effective, and highly effective.

Layoffs will start with teachers who have the poorest evaluations. Those who have been rated as ineffective will not be eligible to be called back.

Other criteria include:

• If a teacher is suspended for a total of five or more days during a two-year period, they will be laid off prior to those that have less than four days of disciplinary suspension.
• Teachers with 15 or more unverified absences during the past two years (with the exception of medical leaves) will be laid off before other teachers.
• Attendance at district professional development programs.
• Seniority

Maleyko said the criteria are weighted differently. For example, if a building needs to layoff a teacher, administrators would first look at performance reviews. If two teachers were equal, then they would consider teacher suspension days, etc.

The legislation governing teacher lay-offs was signed into law by Gov. Rick Snyder on July 19, 2011.

"Making staffing decisions based on merit and performance encourages good teachers to keep doing what they are doing and helps ensure students receive the highest quality education," Snyder said in a written statement. "This long overdue reform will protect outstanding teachers who are enthusiastic about the material and able to connect with students in a way that makes them want to learn."

Trustee James Schoolmaster said the district's finance committee is projecting a $6 million deficit for the 2013-2014 school year.

That will be offset by eliminating seven administration positions ($768,000), laying off 26 teachers ($1.7 million), $200,000 savings from no longer paying tuition at Henry Ford Community College for staff and their families, and reducing extra pay assignments ($25,000). Schoolmaster said the district is hoping to save $1.9 million in teacher retirements.

The finance committee will present the district's budget and recommendations to the board at its meeting on May 28.