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UPDATE: High teacher turnover at Center ISD is concern on social media

The Center ISD has seen a rather large teacher turn over of recent. In the past two months alone, the board has accepted the resignation of 21 educators—15 at last Thursday’s meeting, including 8 middle and high school teachers. Some is to be expected as the school year ends. However, some of the exodus is reportedly said to be related to the district’s curriculum, as a former unidentified Center ISD teacher advised, more is expected of teachers than in other districts. Others are putting the blame on other issues. Regardless, social media is buzzing right now seeking answers.

 

One of those parents is Traci Tomlin Willoughby, who’s taken to Facebook to try and put together a town hall meeting to gather input from other concerned Center ISD parents. Ms. Willoughy feels it starts with the school board, where she says only two current members have children in the Center ISD. She says she wants to find candidates that will run with more children enrolled in CISD that have a vested interest. She said when a date and time is set for such meeting, she would share the information.

 

Superintendent Dr. James Hockenberry had this response when asked about the teacher resignations. “Center ISD employs nearly 400 people. The numbers of resignations are not a typical for this time of year. This is the transitional period of time for educators. I cannot speak for those who are leaving the district. However, it is my general understanding that there are many reasons people choose to.” He went on to say, “I do not follow social media. However, if there are concerns regarding the district, I strongly encourage those to come and speak with me. I am more than willing to listen to those concerns.”

 

At last Thursday’s meeting, the Center ISD board accepted the following resignations: Center Middle School teachers-Cheryl Alexander, Kathy Bartram, Sara Casey, and Bryant Latham; Center High School teachers-Michaelle Coker, Ryan Loyd, Traci Mettauer, Joshua Stewart and Sam Thomas; F.L. Mofett teachers-Chelsey Brewer, Hanna Ramsey and Autumn Sanders; and Center Intermediate teachers-Dana Ellis, Tara Harris, and Kellie Pierce.

 

Employed teachers are: Center Middle School-Ricky Cratty, Sarah Eddins, Teresa Powell, Tabitha Stone, and Heather Williamson; Center Elementary-Alexis Bretos, Andrea Clay, Jessica Gipson, and Rebecca Lyles; Center Intermediate-Kathy Johnson and Sarah Yarbrough, instructional aide; Center High School-Christopher Draper, Tiffany Feher, Heaven Umbrell and Hannah Wilson; and Roy McLerran as an assistant band director.

 

A leave of absence was also given to Lacey Pierce.

 

The school board also reviewed the preliminary STAAR testing results. A request has also been made for those scores.

 

In other business, CISD trustees accepted the transportation fuel bid from R&D Distributing; and approved the 2014-15 broadcast agreement with Center Broadcasting. 

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