Board approves layoff of elementary teacher
by Angie Asam–Staff Writer
Onaway Elementary Teacher Mark Gengle has been given a lay off notice. The Onaway Area Community Schools approved the layoff at its Tuesday evening meeting.
Gengle has been with the district since September 12, 2000 and is was running the elementary computer lab.
“Basically we were able to restructure our staff and use a paraprofessional to cover the lab,” said superintendent Rod Fullerton.
The board has been discussing the lay off and Gengle was aware that it was coming. The lay off is not effective until the start of the 2014-15 school year.
School districts across the state continue to face tough budgetary decisions with declining enrollment, decreases in revenues and more requirements from the state.
Over the past several years the district has had to lay off many teachers, aides and other staff members.
During her principal’s report elementary principal Mindy Horn told the board that two former members of her staff, that have been laid off, have expressed an interest in the first-grade teaching position that is posted with the retiremen
Horn will be meeting with the school improvement team and will be prepared to make a recommendation to the board at its next meeting.
IN OTHER SCHOOL BOARD NEWS:
• The board served as the audience for David Root’s senior exhibition on autism and said he did an excellent job on his project. Other seniors will be presenting their exhibitions today (Friday) in the afternoon.
• Junior varsity volleyball coach Kristi Hoerner will no longer be coaching the junior varsity level but will move to the junior high level next year.
• Fullerton continues to work on a plan for the entrance to the school. The district is looking at a way to make it more secure without spending a lot of money.