County School Supt. Rick Smith is requesting that the School Board approve two new school-based positions beginning in January of 2013, and one new school-based position beginning in August of 2013, based on the following information:
· Ooltewah Elementary School has a current enrollment of 520 students, but will open in the fall of 2013 with a projected student count of at least 750 – thus qualifying for an assistant principal.
We are asking to add this administrator beginning in January of 2013 to assist with the necessary planning for and transition to the new building.
· East Lake Elementary School currently has 27 students in each of three 5th grade classes. Adding a fourth teacher for the 5th grade would lower the pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) to 20.25 students per class.
· The new Red Bank Middle School, opening in August of 2013, includes a state-of-the-art Technology Education laboratory. Unfortunately, funding for the Tech Ed teacher at RBMS was cut as part of a reduction in force prior to the 2010-11 school year. We are asking for the reinstatement of this teaching position, beginning in August of 2013.
Each of the positions requested above will be funded through the General Purpose account, he stated.