A teacher who provides “distance learning” under a contract with a regional education cooperative wrote me today to say all distance learning teachers had been non-renewed because of budget cuts.

Not exactly, says the Education Department, but the future isn’t wholly bright. The budget approved by the governor’s office, but not yet final, will cut state grants to district learning centers from $6 to $4 million. Something will have to give. With contract renewal notices to teachers required by May 1, non-renewal notices are going out as a precaution. Some will be rehired. Some won’t. The district centers make the call. There’s nothing to stop a local school district from picking up the cost of teachers who provide supplemental instruction this way. Will they? How many teachers will lose jobs next year? I can’t answer those questions at the moment. Anyone with more insight is welcome to contribute.

Advertisement

Be a part of something bigger

As a reader of the Arkansas Times, you know we’re dedicated to bringing you tough, determined, and feisty journalism that holds the powerful accountable. For 50 years, we've been fighting the good fight in Little Rock and beyond – with your support, we can do even more. By becoming a subscriber or donating as little as $1 to our efforts, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers to expand our coverage and continue to bring important stories to light. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, it's clear that our readers value our great journalism. Join us in the fight for truth.

Previous article Toad Suck Next article As I was saying …