Earlier this week Eight & 322 reported on a music teacher position in the Franklin Area School district that was not going to be filled in the 2022-2023 school year. As with many things shared via the World Wide Web, speculation and conjecture ran amuck.
According to one school board member, the situation is more about lack of applicants and trying to save the music program at Victory Elementary School.
Franklin school board vice-president Andy Boland reached out to clarify a few things after reading and hearing comments that misrepresented how the decision was made by the administration - and some that implied that the administration was trying to cut the program all together.
It is not.
Boland indicated that the brouhaha over the social media posts last week was a source of frustration. "It was based on a lot of misinformation," he said adding that the efforts made to move staff to cover Victory was an effort to save the program at the school, not cut it.
In February, Victory Elementary School music teacher Robyn Lohr passed away after a battle with cancer. The school board soon after posted the part-time job internally as well as externally, looking for a replacement.
Meanwhile, the district teachers and administrators worked together to figure out schedules to cover Victory's music needs while they waited for the position to be filled.
"We posted the position, but no one applied," said Boland. He said the school board supports the music department, citing many of the board members having children who have benefitted from the strong program.
Franklin High School choir teacher Sarah Gilbert said she knows of some candidates who were interested in the position, but they weren't able to start in the spring - but are now. She and music teacher Steve Johnston indicated graduating music majors are potentially ready to enter teaching after completing their schooling/certification this month, but were not ready or certified when the job was posted in late winter/early spring. They believe now is the time for the job to be posted.
According to one school board member, the situation is more about lack of applicants and trying to save the music program at Victory Elementary School.
Franklin school board vice-president Andy Boland reached out to clarify a few things after reading and hearing comments that misrepresented how the decision was made by the administration - and some that implied that the administration was trying to cut the program all together.
It is not.
Boland indicated that the brouhaha over the social media posts last week was a source of frustration. "It was based on a lot of misinformation," he said adding that the efforts made to move staff to cover Victory was an effort to save the program at the school, not cut it.
In February, Victory Elementary School music teacher Robyn Lohr passed away after a battle with cancer. The school board soon after posted the part-time job internally as well as externally, looking for a replacement.
Meanwhile, the district teachers and administrators worked together to figure out schedules to cover Victory's music needs while they waited for the position to be filled.
"We posted the position, but no one applied," said Boland. He said the school board supports the music department, citing many of the board members having children who have benefitted from the strong program.
Franklin High School choir teacher Sarah Gilbert said she knows of some candidates who were interested in the position, but they weren't able to start in the spring - but are now. She and music teacher Steve Johnston indicated graduating music majors are potentially ready to enter teaching after completing their schooling/certification this month, but were not ready or certified when the job was posted in late winter/early spring. They believe now is the time for the job to be posted.
Boland said that if there are candidates interested they should contact the school and indicated it is an administrative matter to fill the position.
Board president Sabrina Backer said other than the superintendent, the board members are not involved in the hiring process until the final stage of accepting the position. Hiring is an administration issue.
Boland also said parents with questions, concerns or ideas need to call the district office or a school board member, emphasizing that decisions are not determined on social media.
"My email address is listed, Just ask and I'll get you an answer," Boland said.
Boland mentioned the lack of applicants for teaching positions is a growing problem across the board. In years past they would have many to choose from, but increasingly fewer and fewer are applying each year.
With the acting superintendent position resignation Friday and the new acting super expected to be named on Monday at the school board meeting, Eight & 322 has not been able to get confirmation whether or not the decision is final or if the administration will consider opening the position up for bid again now that college graduation is completed for many students.
Board president Sabrina Backer said other than the superintendent, the board members are not involved in the hiring process until the final stage of accepting the position. Hiring is an administration issue.
Boland also said parents with questions, concerns or ideas need to call the district office or a school board member, emphasizing that decisions are not determined on social media.
"My email address is listed, Just ask and I'll get you an answer," Boland said.
Boland mentioned the lack of applicants for teaching positions is a growing problem across the board. In years past they would have many to choose from, but increasingly fewer and fewer are applying each year.
With the acting superintendent position resignation Friday and the new acting super expected to be named on Monday at the school board meeting, Eight & 322 has not been able to get confirmation whether or not the decision is final or if the administration will consider opening the position up for bid again now that college graduation is completed for many students.
To read the earlier story you can follow this link:
http://8and322.weebly.com/eight--322/franklin-considers-not-filling-vacant-elementary-music-spot
http://8and322.weebly.com/eight--322/franklin-considers-not-filling-vacant-elementary-music-spot
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