6/24/09 (Rochester, N.Y.) – On the same day nearly 200 Rochester City School District teachers were laid off, the principal of Jefferson High School and four of her staff members were in Las Vegas for a conference.
“I would have much rather had the principal tell me,” said a Jefferson special education teacher, who said she was informed by a department head that she was out of a job. The teacher didn’t want to be identified for fear of retaliation by district administrators.
Mary Andrecolich-Diaz, two administrators, and two teachers went to a three-day conference at the University of Las Vegas that focused on Small Learning Communities. Jefferson, which has been cited by the state for low test scores, is studying the concept to improve. The trip is expected to cost about $9,500.
The staff learned of the trip in a weekly school bulletin.
“I was disturbed to find out that when our testing is going on, there are five top people out of the building,” said teacher Lisa Rivera.
“If principals are away in Vegas, how does that justify special ed being cut? It just seems like students aren't first,” said the laid-off special education teacher. “All I can equate it with is when the big car companies cried poor, they flew in on a private jet.”
“How can the superintendent justify sending people for any type of training?” said Rivera.
The district has said it froze all travel in February, as it struggled with a budget deficit.
“Why is he saying he froze all these trips and all these lulus, at the same time people are basking in the sun in Las Vegas?” said Rochester Teachers Association president Adam Urbanski. “It’s bad timing, and frankly, it’s in bad taste.”
District spokesman Tom Petronio said in a statement that the trip was allowed because it was in line with Jefferson’s school improvement plan. He said it did not have an impact on the RCSD’s budget.
However, taxpayers will ultimately be on the hook for the entire trip.
Petronio said the two teachers’ expenses were picked up by a state grant. He said the three administrators’ expenses were picked up by the administrators’ union, ASAR. However, the union used district funds that it contractually receives for professional development. In addition, the district could have to pay for portions of the trip, if the administrators’ travel expenses exceeded their individual professional development allowance.
“It just seems like students aren’t first,” said the laid-off special education teacher.
