Susan Evick, a Title 1 teacher at Third Ward Elementary School, told the BOE, “I understand that the voting on personal decisions is not scheduled for tonight and I recognize that the date is rapidly approaching. I am concerned that the information you have been anticipating may not be available by the time you need to cast your votes.”

Last month, the BOE voted to table Randolph County Superintendent Dr. Shawn Dilly’s RIF recommendations until April 22, in the hope that more information would be available at that time about funding processes from the federal and state governments.

“Therefore I have a new request for the Board members as we move forward,” Evick said. “My request is very straightforward. If you must vote to approve the superintendent’s recommendations, because we are still waiting on the Title 1 budget, please remain diligent when the Title 1 budget is released.

“We are all aware that Title 1 funding has not been abolished at the federal level. The uncertainty lies in the amount that Randolph County Schools will be receiving,” she said. “I respectfully ask that all Title 1 teacher positions be rescinded before Aug. 1 when the budget indicates significant funds or sufficient funds for these positions is available.”

The Inter-Mountain photos by Edgar Kelley Randolph County Title I School teachers Kate Curnutte and Susan Evick, above, asked the Randolph County Board of Education on Tuesday night to wait for more financial information before voting on Superintendent Dr. Shawn Dilly’s RIF (reduction in force) recommendations. The vote is scheduled for April 22.

Evick thanked BOE members for dealing with a difficult time for everyone involved.

“I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the members of the Board of Education for their thoughtful response during this personnel season,” said Evick. “After extensive hours of listening to teachers from Randolph County articulate the significance of their roles, their dedication to our students, and their desire to remain in their current positions, our board members demonstrated commendable commitment to making the best decisions for Randolph County Schools. They took the time to listen attentively, deliberate carefully, and ultimately decide to table the vote, seeking additional information regarding budgets.”

Kate Curnutte, who has been a Title 1 teacher in Randolph County for 23 years, requested that the BOE keep a close eye on what happens with federal funding.

“Please continue to keep the conversation open with the board office administrators so you can be informed immediately when the federal funds are released,” Curnutte said. “And more importantly, how it is being allocated. If those funds are intended to support struggling readers, why are the very educators who serve them, everyday, being considered for elimination?

“The vote is about more than a budget, it’s about believing that every child in Randolph County deserves a chance to succeed. Please vote to keep Title I interventionists in our schools.”

Curnutte, who teaches at Jennings Randolph Elementary, shared some key points of why Title 1 teachers are valuable.

“Title 1 interventionists are irreplaceable and necessary,” she said. “I’m asking you to remember my words when you vote next week on whether to abolish Title 1 jobs or not. I urge you to pause and truly consider the impact.

“We are not excess, we are not optional. We are the ones who sit beside the child who is struggling. Helping them catch up, word by word, sentence by sentence. Without it, those students risk falling through the cracks.

“Our classroom teachers are dedicated and highly capable, but they are already managing significant responsibilities,” Curnutte said. “Without Title 1 interventionists, they would be expected to take on all interventions and related documentation, in addition to their already heavy workload. It’s not fair to them, and more importantly it’s not fair to the students who need specialized, consistent support.”

Hearings for seven Title 1 teachers took place during last month’s RIF hearings that took place over four consecutive evenings.

Title I teachers provide support and intervention for students, often focusing on reading and math skills. The teachers work individually or in small groups with students in an attempt to help them understand core subjects and grade-level standards. Title I teachers collaborate with classroom teachers to implement instructional strategies.

The next BOE meeting is set for April 22 at 5:30 p.m.