Reduction in Force...What it is to force reduced!

I have been an administrator and teacher for 24 years.  This spring is the first time I have experienced the "Pink Slip" that so many teachers fear.  Well administrators fear it just as much.  A teacher may be reduced but the teachers union and Master Contract provide opportunities for the individual to perhaps bump another less tenured person or if they are qualified they may take another position.

If you are an administrator ...not so many options.  I don't believe teachers or community know this fact.  If an administrator is reduced in force they don't get to bump a less tenured administrator unless the school board extends that option.  You are done and happy job hunting.

Now I do understand the need to 'reduce in force or RIF' staff , non-certified, certified, and administrative. I also understand all the angles and problems that happen when this procedure is used. (Lots!).
 

This is my concern...

 What is the force that is reduced?  

Often  the force reduced  is competent staff who have experience, creativity, and zeal and who ARE making a difference in children's lives and learning.  Reduction of force can also mean removing programs that help students learn in different ways or in a smaller student to teacher ratio (Title Math, At Risk Programs, Guidance, Art, Music etc.). Staff reduced often have to leave the community and find work elsewhere resulting in  loss of students if they have children in the district and homes being sold with loss of tax revenue for the community.

Usually the main reason for a 'Reduction in Force' is financial.  Now I know that you can't run a school or any business without the money.  Long term planning , not one year at a time knee jerk decisions are important. I would recommend  five and ten year planning and districts analyzing the needs of their students so any 'Reduction in Staff' notices sent out will not adversely affect student learning and graduation.  There are great step by step plans that school board members and superintendents can use offered by the state school board associations. Once a program is reduced or staff it is very difficult to get it back and if the program or staff position is added back it often will not have the same qualities as the previous.

So what to do?  
Start applying for jobs of course.
Are there other options?
Let me know...

Snow day...snow boarding day...any learning going on?

I will never deny that I love snow days, early outs, and late starts.  
As a professional educator I use the time to catch up on paper work, sort out cabinets and files, and of course go sledding or snow boarding with my son.  
The last is the first of my priorities....
My son and I try different hills, different sleds, different paths, and compete to see who can get to the bottom first.  
But you might say "No school means that testing is halted (yes it did put a dent in my Iowa Assessment schedule).  Great lessons are skipped or moved to another date.  Routines are interrupted.  
Well here is the learning that was had due to the snow day.

When the snow is real wet you go slower than when it is iced up.  
Two people on a sled go faster than one.
Snow board ribs make it easier to go around corners.
Plan a path before you push off.
Keep your hands and feet ready to steer and brake.
Watch out for trees before you get to them.
Know how to roll off a sled if you are heading the wrong way.
Racing someone down to the bottom makes it so much fun.
Racing is not fun if someone gets hurt.  There won't be anyone to race.
Going down a hill fast means walking all the way up to the top slow.
It is okay to take a rest and lay in the snow and enjoy the snow.
If you can't stand up on a snow board without falling on your face sit down on it and you will go a lot further and have more fun.
Having so much fun is hard work.

So do you see what I mean about learning on a snow day...