Winston Brooks and a herd of administrators are touring the
district, supposedly engaged in conversation with stakeholders.
I say "supposedly", because conversation in this context, means
no opportunity to ask legitimate questions about the public interest.
Although they claim to have gone to identify problems,
they return with no new problems to add to the list.
We know what the problems are.
There is no need to go looking for them.
Winston Brooks in trying to change the perception of the community, of the APS.
In so far as the perception is that they all lack the character and the courage to tell the truth, and, in so far as the perception is that they have abdicated as role models of the Student Standard of Conduct,
the perception is not changing.
Friday, November 07, 2008
Celebrate the 8, conversation series
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FYI
Dear APS Employees,
On Monday, Nov. 10, we will impose a hiring freeze of non-school personnel. The hiring freeze will not affect teachers, counselors, school custodians, educational assistants or other school-based personnel. Those positions will continue to be filled as needed.
There won’t be any layoffs or cutbacks and this is not a reduction in the work force; only vacant positions will be affected. The positions impacted most by the hiring freeze will be administrative, instructional support and maintenance and operation.
Given the current state of the economy in New Mexico and nationwide, I feel it’s in our best interest to tighten our belts now. In looking ahead to the upcoming legislative session, we face a budget next year with little, if any, growth. That’s our reality.
These reductions also will allow the district to build a stronger reserve balance to ensure long-term financial stability.
APS now has about 20 vacancies it won’t fill, though that number could double by the end of the school year based on staff turnover in previous years. We estimate that the hiring freeze could save about $1 million.
Only positions paid for with operational funds will be impacted. Therefore, the hiring freeze will not directly affect positions funded with capital money or federal funds, such as grants, title programs and special education.
We will reconsider the “freeze” in case-by-case situations if an argument can be made as to the critical need to fill a position. The decision to hire a non-school employee during this time will be made by me at City Centre; Linda Sink at curriculum and instructional support sites; and Brad Winter at maintenance and operations sites.
In an effort to be as pro-active as possible in avoiding budget problems down the line, we have put a budget team in place – made up of principals, union representatives and district administrators – that is meeting regularly to find additional cost savings for the district.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at superintendent@aps.edu.
Sincerely,
Winston Brooks, Superintendent
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