Talk With Tracy

There is quite a bit of confusion going on with all the letters in the school being given to the teachers and staff about termination or Rice or what? I wanted to explain it quickly to hopefully make it make sense.

Every year, non-tenured teachers, administrators, staff and anyone the board needs to talk about receives a RICE letter. Rice is not an acronym; it refers to NJ's 'Sunshine Law'. It requires notification that they will be spoken of by the board. It permits the chance to have and open hearing or a closed discussion. I am afraid this is not as exciting as some make it out to be. More info can be found at http://hpcpsdi.rutgers.edu/NJHPG/downloads/Sunshine%20Laws.pdf.

The next letters are non-tenured positions, this includes all non-tenured staff, receive the form letter stating that they may not be rehired for next year. (It does not reference performance).

Non-renewal letter, for non-tenured employees and well, it is just what it sounds like, and the person usually knows why. Whether we know is not relevant.

Abolishment of position, again just as it sounds.  It might be referred as reduction of staff/position. It does not necessarily reflect the competence or skills of the person. It does indicate that there were mitigating factors, like small enrollment or laws changing or budget cuts, the position is not available for the next year. If a tenured teacher or staff member receives this, they have the preferred eligibility to come back if that position returns. The tenure person also can pursue other positions, if qualified.

The listing of teacher’s salaries is only a partial list right now; they are the easy ones to do. They have been resigned and we have the positions for them. I am sure even a few exemplary non-tenured teachers made the initial list; but it will be discussed and added to in the next few weeks.

If you have a question, let me know! Please knowledge is power! As my husband says, 'when you swing the bat (ask a question) good things happen (you gain knowledge) but ya got