Charleston, W.V.
Chandler Academy (Facebook)
Administrators of Kanwa County Schools have proposed to cut seven teachers of an assistant principal, a counselor and Chandler. KCS will add a behavioral specialist and keep two teachers involved in the education of special requirements. The academy will also continue with its principal, a counselor and five general education teachers.
Chandler Academy is an alternative school of Kanha County for risk students. It is located on the west side of Charleston.
The KCS has cited the loss of the student and loss of money as the reasons for the proposal of staffing cuts. Most, if not all, KCS employees are affected by RIF/transfer.
Chandler supporters spoke during the public commentary on Thursday night’s Kanva County Board of Education Meeting. The issue was not on the board’s agenda.
Chandler Academy Principal Vemman Wilson told the board members that when they understand funding and loss of students in the county, taking away the employees in their school will eventually hurt students.
Wilson said, “This does not address many serious needs of unqualified students kept in Chandler Academy.”
According to KCS Communications Director Bryna Warner, Chandler’s school sees about 50 middle and high school students on a daily basis. The average appearance rate is approximately 60% and the size of the orbit is just below 10 students.
“Ideally, we will not need to make any cuts, however, KCS has lost more than 530 students in this school year and hard staffing decisions should be taken across the district,” said Warner.
The proposed staffing deduction will align with the student population, a measure that has been implemented in all Kanwa County Schools.
Assistant Principal Tammy J. Burges, who said that he is considered in the cuts, mentioned that the cut was attempted last year. KCS tried to cut a counselor, a principal and seven teachers.
“Last year affected the entire high school employees and now this year, it wipes the employees of the entire middle school very much,” said Burges.
In 2023, there were also plans to transfer the Chandler Academy to virtual learning and learn students in virtual settings.
West Virginia Education Association President Dale Lee said that it is not a good idea to transfer these students to virtual learning. He said the most recent test score in the state showed that the lowest test score came from West Virginia Virtual Academy.
Lee said, “We have an opportunity in Kanva County here that is working for children.” “As teachers, we want to ensure that a child does not fall through the crack.”
Staff members want to stay there on threats to lose their position and help students of Chandler Academy.
Burges said, “The employees who have been placed on transfer have more than 150 years of teaching experience.” “He has shown his loyalty to work with these risky students every day.”
Staff members expecting to live in Chandler include two science teachers, a mathematics teacher, an English teacher and a social study teacher. Burges said that there are not going to be enough teachers for each grade level.
“It seems that we have five teachers, but we have seven grades,” said Burges. “There is actually no flexibility in the schedule.”
“Are you going to keep the grade together?” Burges asked the board. “Are you going to hire other employees to voluntary?”
The members of the school board did not make any public remarks according to their policy regarding the public part of their meetings.