Saturday, July 13, 2013

She Did It Again

Eaton Co. District Fires 24 Special Needs Educators

Posted: Jul 12, 2013 4:59 PM EDT
CHARLOTTE, Mich. (WLNS) – 24 special needs educators were let go on Thursday from their jobs with the Eaton Intermediate School District in Charlotte, sparking a controversy between the district and the teachers' union.

Superintendent Christine Beardsley confirmed the layoffs on Friday, and said they were done in an effort to improve financial efficiency across the district.

The laid off workers were considered support staff, and worked either in the classroom with severely challenged students, or in homes with children ages five and under.

The former employees are being offered to apply for their same position with the Grand Ledge School district, but officials there say they will have to take a pay cut, and will not receive health care benefits.

Union officials who represent the out-of-work teachers say they are working with the Michigan Education Association to see what other recourse they may have.

Officials at MEA were unavailable for comment on this story