Letter From Superintendent

I am reaching out to the Athens community to address several questions and concerns that have recently been brought to my attention. It appears that some misinformation is circulating, and I would like to take this opportunity to clarify the facts.

First, regarding the concern that programs are being cut: as discussed in recent school board meetings, the district is transitioning to a 7-hour day at the Middle School/High School levels. This change actually expands student services by increasing our course offerings.

Historically, the district utilized a schedule where teachers taught three block classes per day. With the transition to a 7-hour day, teachers will now offer six periods per day. Mathematically, this represents an expansion of opportunities for our students, not a reduction. This shift has been part of the collective bargaining agreement since 2019; the Board of Education negotiated this proactively, recognizing that enrollment would likely decrease by nearly 200 students compared to 2014 levels.

There have also been rumors regarding staff reductions. Please note the following:

• Band Program: Our Band Instructor has tendered his resignation. This is a personal career decision and is not a program cut. We wish him the very best.
• Long-term Substitutes: We are making adjustments regarding long-term substitutes. Because these individuals work under substitute licenses, we are prioritizing our contracted staff as we finalize the new schedule.
• Contracted Teachers: All contracted teachers will receive "Reasonable Assurance" letters in the near future, typically by the final pay period of the year. No teachers have received layoff notices.

I strongly encourage community members to attend our board meetings or review the posted BoE agendas and minutes. These concerns are easily quelled when one has access to the official record. The Board has addressed these transitions through our strategic plan, specific superintendent goals, and formal actions during public meetings.

I hope this helps clarify the district's direction. I might suggest that when encountering such rumors, it is helpful to consider the source, as the accuracy of this circulated information is highly suspect. Mr. McClure and I have facilitated a meeting with the Union President to ensure we are moving forward as a team.

We remain committed to transparency and to providing the best possible educational environment for our students.

Kipp Beaudoin
Superintendent