Employees, parents argue against teaching-and-learning cuts

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There was a flood of support for the Farmington School District’s teaching and learning department Monday night, two weeks after two school board members suggested the department should be the target of cuts.

The outpouring started with the district’s principals speaking as a group in support of the department, which includes an assistant superintendent and a director of teaching and learning. The principals said the guidance the department provides on curriculum and the coaching opportunities it creates for teachers makes for a more effective learning environment.

“Our teachers are amazing. They’re hard-working and they’re brilliant, but they didn’t accomplish this alone,” said Dodge Middle School principal Chris Bussman, who read a prepared statement on behalf of the other principals.

When the school board discussed budget cuts at its Feb. 28 meeting board members Tera Lee and Tim Burke suggested eliminating the assistant superintendent position.

The presentation from the principals started more than an hour of comments from parents, teachers and other district employees. All said the teaching and learning department has helped improve instruction in Farmington schools.

Sharon Davenport, the district’s assessment coordinator, said the work of the department has helped turn around perceptions of Farmington schools in the larger education community.

“Before five years ago people weren’t saying good things about Farmington schools,” Davenport said. “As difficult as it might be for some of you, credit has to be given to Dr. Meeks and the current administration.”

Tags: district 192, news, education