CHARLESTOWN — The Jefferson County Board of Education held its regular meeting and transfer hearing Monday night.
There are 113 personnel actions recommended by Superintendent Chuck Bishop, including transfers, creation of positions, changes in funding sources and reductions in positions as a result of the budget review process.
Mr Bishop asked school principals to present a list of potential cuts. Recommendations for transfer were based on program changes or decreases in the number of students in a particular class.
In response to these changes, many teachers and students shared their concerns, and several transfer hearings were held to give teachers an opportunity to have their voices heard. Most of the hearings were held in executive session, but Sierra Godfrey, a physical education and health teacher at Washington High School, requested a public hearing.
Bishop also explained some of the reasons behind the transfer recommendation during the hearing.
“We are asking each principal to bring in three opportunities for reductions and what they would like to add if given the opportunity,” he said. “As you know, we are facing a capital cliff generated by the ESSER funds, some of which are set in December 2024. Although none of these recommendations are personal, , these recommendations were necessary to make the operating budget work.”
Bishop went on to explain that Godfrey is one of five physical education teachers at Washington High School, and that many students have different options when earning physical education credit. As a result, fewer students are taking physical education than they used to.
During Godfrey's turn to speak, she talked about how she grew up in Jefferson County and explained how much it meant to her to teach at her alma mater high school.
“I have to say that choosing to stay in Jefferson County and teach at my alma mater was one of the best decisions I made,” Godfrey said. “It may sound a little pathetic, but I truly believe that Washington High School was where I should have ended up. I never knew my career would have ended up anywhere else or with anyone else. I couldn't imagine it.
Mr Godfrey also argued that losing his position would result in larger classroom sizes, putting even more pressure on teachers.
After all public hearings were completed, the board voted on the position. As for Mr. Godfrey, Board President Kathryn Skinner, Vice President Mark Osborne and Director Laurie Ogden voted to approve the transfer, while Board Members Carmen Bratton and Donna Joy voted against. As for the other transfers discussed during the meeting, the board approved placing them on the transfer list, with the exception of Edwina Keefe, general aide at Lowry Elementary School.
