Rockford schools: 98 ‘probationary’ teachers terminated, administrators moved to new roles

Online Staff Report

The Rockford Board of Education (BOE) voted at its March 13 meeting to lay off 98 “probationary” teachers and move a number of administrators to different positions within the district.

The district, however, has said it has no further plans for layoffs.

Probationary teachers had short-term contracts, held grant-funded positions or had returned to teaching after having retired. Only a few of the terminated probationary staff were let go for performance reasons, according to the district.

The BOE also approved the following administrative assignments:

Guilford High School Principal Jill Davis will serve as a 12-month assistant principal at Auburn High School with a base salary of $95,365;

Theresa Harvey will serve as a 12-month principal at Wilson ASPIRE with a base salary of $85,000;

Stephanie Hess will serve as a 12-month special education assistant principal with a base salary of $76,640;

George Richardson will serve as a 10-month principal at Dennis Early Childhood Center with a base salary of $79,000;

William Robertson will serve as a 10-month assistant principal at Guilford High School with a base salary of $74,000;

Jon Malone will serve as a 12-month special education assistant principal with a base salary of $81,667;

Theresa Montalbano will serve as a 12-month special education assistant principal with a base salary of $81,667;

Jennifer Sims will serve as a 12-month special education assistant principal with a base salary of $77,000; and

Kevin Kalous will serve as a 12-month special education assistant principal with a base salary of $76,670.

The following nontenured administrators were dismissed by the BOE: Jeffrey Cismecia, Janet Green, Amanda Jushka, Heidi Lange, Tom Newton, Delia Rodriguez, Pachia Tenpas-Rice and Jeremy Walden.

The following five administrators were reclassified as teachers: Nicole Dawson, Jennifer Eyre, Earl Hernandez, Scott Ramsby and Mike Valentine.

Posted March 16, 2012