HOLLY HILL – Citing “the economic crisis” and anticipated state budget cuts, Dr. Cynthia Cash-Greene, superintendent of Orangeburg Consolidated School District 3, said the school board is considering money-saving options, including possibly vacating 84 positions currently held by retirees.

Cash-Greene told The Times and Democrat that “every retiree was met with” concerning the proposed reduction.

During the OCSD 3 Board’s Nov. 10 meeting at St. James-Gaillard Elementary School in Eutawville, Cash-Greene said, “There will be a reduction, possibly; however, that decision has not been made at this time.”

The district has 535 full-time employees and 185 part-time/temporary employees, according to district officials.

Currently, retirees employed by the district receive “letters of agreement” to establish employment. Typically, the district pays retirees a salary at a high pay level (based on experience) while retirees also gets retirement benefits.

By vacating the 84 positions held by retirees, anyone may apply for the positions – including the retirees, the superintendent said.

Cash-Greene said if the board approves vacating all positions held by retirees, “it will be a process and communicated to all employees in writing.”

All positions will remain filled through the current school year, she said. However, the proposed changes would affect the 2010-2011 school year, Cash-Greene said.

“Our message is going to be the same in assisting the employees to understand the economic crisis that we’re in,” Cash-Greene said, “and our children will always be first.”

Some parents questioned Cash-Greene and the board trustees about the possibility of losing veteran teachers who have spent their entire careers in the district.

Tommy Wolpert of Eutawville, accompanied by his wife, Renee, said they are proud their children attend St. James-Gaillard Elementary and don’t want any of the school’s long-time teachers to leave.

“Do we have concerns that we may be losing some of our teachers at St. James-Gaillard?” Wolpert asked.

“We’re definitely losing funding and also losing funding regarding our local funding – which comes directly from property taxes,” the superintendent said. “We will be taking a look at all positions … . Legally, we cannot isolate one school.”

Bridget Middleton, another parent, asked if classes would be filled to maximum capacity next school year because of a shortage of teachers.

“At this point, I can’t answer that,” said Dr. Robert Williams, OCSD 3 Board chairman. “We have to first of all see where we’re going and what will have to be done.”

Middleton said, “As parents, we’re clueless … ”

She asked if the district was going to respond to an unsigned letter sent to district leaders by concerned parents.

“We do have a copy of what I believe is what you’re referring to,” Cash-Greene said. “Please understand that the letter was not signed by any particular individual; therefore, a response could not be issued.”

Middleton told the superintendent, “I’ll give you a copy of the letter tonight, signed,” adding there are “430-something parents who are also concerned.”

In part, the unsigned letter from concerned parents requests the costs associated with: the executive director of curriculum (salary and benefits), the teacher/assistant principal (salary and benefits), the community-wide Literacy Liftoff event and grant consultants – to name a few.

The letter concludes: “And, as concerned parents of this community, we are informing you that we are very displeased with the direction (of) our district. If the well-being of the students are not put at the forefront, we will begin a petition to have you Dr. Green (sic) removed as superintendent, and we will go through the necessary procedures to have the board removed.

“We are full(y) aware of our rights, and we are willing and ready to move forward. Our children have lost enough this year. There is nothing wrong with change, but the saying ‘Rome was not built in a day’ is so true. We will not stand by and allow you to continue to do business as usual. This is not personal, but it is about our children. A dark cloud has been placed over this district. The teachers are not able to perform at their best because of minute and overbearing leadership. Our children are suffering along with our community. These are some of the concerns we have as parents, and we expect that you will address them at the upcoming board meeting.”

Cash-Greene said she, the board and district officials anticipate holding a meeting with Parent-Teacher Organization leaders.

“Since it was a concern with parents, we’ll start with concerns from parents first,” the superintendent said.

T&D Correspondent Martha Rose Brown can be reached by e-mail at marfawose@aol.com. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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