Center School Staffing Update 4/24/20

It has been another week of changes and decisions that are impacting all of us personally and professionally.  The news on Tuesday that school would remain closed for the remainder of the year was heartbreaking.  In addition to the challenge of trying to provide the best possible educational experiences under these conditions, it hit home the reality of not seeing our students again this year inside the schoolhouse walls.  I know that the students share in the disappointment over this finality as much as our teachers do.  Our job over the next few weeks will be to find ways to bring to life some of the celebrations that we would normally experience at this time of the school year.  While this may be a virtual experience or a new tradition, it is important to us that the students know how much we miss them and how important they are to our school community.

As we navigate through these challenging times, and with the recent closure of school for the remainder of the year, the school administration has been forced to make some very difficult but necessary budget and staffing decisions for the remainder of this school year.  Beginning on Monday, all of our Paraprofessionals, ABA Tutors, Cafeteria Workers, and some members of our Family and Community Engagement staff will be placed on furlough for the remainder of the school year.  These are decisions that were not made lightly, and were made thoughtfully to ensure that the district can finish this school year financially solvent.  There is a real human impact on both the staff members being furloughed and the students that these staff members support in so many ways.  Be assured that we are doing all we can to assist these employees as they manage this process, and we will welcome them back with open arms at the earliest opportunity.  

These are some of the most difficult and demanding days in our lifetime, and we have few options but to make these unwanted and heartbreaking decisions.  We are blessed to work in a remarkable community, and these employees have our complete support.

I would like to thank all of our Paraprofessionals, Tutors, Cafeteria Workers and many of our FACE Staff for their hard work and dedication to our students.  We look forward to being back together soon.

As always, please contact me with any questions, ideas, and concerns.

Warm regards,

Mrs. DeGrenier
Principal