Letting employees go
– whether it’s due to layoffs, poor performance or a
less-than-ideal fit with the position or co-workers – is never
easy.
Letting employees go – whether it’s due to layoffs, poor performance or a less-than-ideal fit with the position or co-workers – is never easy.
So it’s understandable why the four English teachers who were notified that they won’t be rehired at Gilroy High School next school year might be upset.
But the school’s administration is charged with keeping the bigger picture in mind – the overall education of all Gilroy students.
Obviously, Principal Bob Bravo and his team felt that these four teachers, for whatever reason or reasons, aren’t the best choices for GHS students. We trust that they’ve made a wise move in releasing the teachers and, until there is overwhelming evidence produced that proves otherwise, we support the decision.
Due to the teachers’ union contracts, once Gilroy teachers are permanent or tenured employees, it’s nigh unto impossible to terminate their employment. The protections built into the contract make it difficult to remove a teacher from his or her position, even with cause.
That’s why the probationary period – and all the teachers in this case were probationary employees – is so important, and we’re glad to see that GHS administrators are keeping a watchful eye on their probationary employees. We trust that the teachers have been evaluated thoroughly, fairly and according to the standards expected by the district. They’ve only got a short time frame to evaluate teachers for fit, competence, teaching style, professional development and a whole host of other factors to make sure they’re the best choices for Gilroy’s students.
Given the lightning rod for controversy that the GHS English department has been for the last few years, we urge Bravo and his administration to redouble their efforts to find talented, highly qualified teachers to fill these positions. With the high number of teacher layoffs at schools across California, there should be a large pool of excellent candidates from which to choose.
Yes, it’s difficult for everyone involved when job changes must be made. We wish the four teachers well wherever their careers may take them. And most of all, we wish Bravo wisdom in choosing their replacements.
