The Oak Park and River Forest High School board is calling a special community meeting to discuss recent layoffs of non-tenured teachers following outcry from students who believe the dismissals are unfair.
“It’s to provide a forum for people because of the fact that I — and the board — have been hearing from various community members … of their interest to speak,” Superintendent Steven Isoye said Tuesday.
Students began publicizing their opinions as classes resumed last week after spring break and word of the layoffs spread, protest organizers have said.
The campaign has drawn more than 1,400 signers of an online petition backing the teachers on the website saveoprf.org. A Facebook page drew more than 1,900 members before it was turned into a private “closed group.” Members of the group could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Each spring, school districts set staffing rosters for the upcoming school year based on anticipated enrollment, the types of classes students sign up for and teacher seniority, school officials said. In total, 21 non-tenured teachers were dismissed by the school board March 22, according to records. Some could be reinstated this week as more precise staffing needs are mapped out, district officials have said.
Before the public meeting, the board will gather in private to discuss “employment and personnel” issues. The meeting for public comment is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the school’s Little Theatre. Isoye declined to elaborate on what would be discussed during the closed-door session. The school board is scheduled to meet again Thursday night and might opt to hire back some teachers, district officials recently said.
Last week, some students said it’s not the routine dismissal that bothers them; it’s the way some teachers can be employed for a number of years without being granted tenure. Under district rules, teachers who work full time for four years are granted tenure, provided they do their job satisfactorily, officials said. For part-time teachers, however, years of experience are not counted toward tenure.
“We have no idea how many people will show up,” Isoye said. “I do know that people have been emailing the board, some people have been emailing the administration. And we do know the students have a website going as well. … Based upon some of the information we’re hearing, we felt it would be best to schedule” a meeting.
