Teacher applicants hoping to man classrooms in Spotsylvania County's new elementary school in the fall have found out they may have to look for jobs elsewhere.
Last week, 30 teachers who were offered employment for the upcoming school year after attending the division's job fair this month received letters telling them the district could not provide a contract.
The letter cited anticipated state cuts in revenue as well as insufficient local funds as reasons. The job fair took place before the General Assembly voted on the two-year budget.
"I'm sure people are disappointed," Superintendent Jerry Hill said yesterday in a phone interview. "We're disappointed because we wanted to hire these people."
Many of the applicants were being considered for Cedar Forest Elementary School, which, until recently, school officials had pushed to open in the fall.
The opening of three other facilities--an autism day-placement program, John J. Wright Cultural and Educational Center and a new fleet-maintenance facility--also may be delayed to close the $7.6 million deficit between what the schools are requesting in their budget and what the county recommends.
That gap may grow to $12 million if supervisors decide to lower the 62-cent proposed tax rate to an equalized tax rate of 56 cents.
Delaying the four facilities would reduce the school district's operating budget by about $3 million. Cedar Forest alone will cost $1.9 million to open.
Hill said he thinks the decision not to open the facilities would be "devastating to morale."
In the letter, the division encourages the applicants to consider Spotsylvania for employment once the number of positions to be filled has been determined.
But Hill said he expects the teachers to find jobs in places that can offer them written contracts now.
"We'll lose some good people because of what we did. I'm sure of that," he said.
Applicants for positions in demand, including math and science teachers and a high school band instructor, did not receive the letter.
The School Board will hold a work session at 6:30 tonight to discuss budget cuts.
Karen Bolipata: 540/374-5418
Email: kbolipata@freelancestar.com