District may enforce 45-day rule on teacher resignations

By FAITH HUFFMAN | News-Telegram News Editor

June 14, 2007 - Teachers have until July 13 to notify Sulphur Springs Independent School District of their intent to resign, and those who wait until after that date could be held to their contracts until a replacement is found, Assistant Superintendent Randy Reed recommended during Monday's regular board meeting.

School policy states that employees must resign 45 days prior to the first class day or the district will hold them to their contracts until a suitable replacement is found. 

"Our policy is always to work with those who are looking to relocate or advances," Reed said. "We have not stuck to the 45-day rule in the past. I think it's about time we do. We need to do what's best for our kiddoes. July 13 ... is the magic day."

He explained that state law says not to release employees until a suitable replacement is found. Before the school year ended, district officials made attempts to notify employees of the contract rule. 

"We're not saying we won't release them [from their contracts]," Reed said, but added, "We won't until we find a suitable replacement."

On questioning by SSISD Board President Foy Williams, Reed noted that the replacement would indeed have to be a suitable, certified replacement before the contract is voided.

Board members also approved a proposed Sulphur Springs High School band trip to Chicago, where the SSHS band has been invited to participate in McDonald's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

SSISD Director of Bands Charles McCauley noted that while the trip is still quite a ways off, the band program was making the request as early as possible so that they could go ahead with plans.

The total cost for the trip is estimated at $58,000, which the district would not have to pay. That would include the cost of rooms, charter buses and all but four meals.

The band booster organization would pay $22,000. An additional $6,000 would come from the proceeds of the fall student fundraiser, with the students responsible for the remaining $30,000, or about $300 each. 

"The kids will have fundraisers," McCauley explained. "We try to make it cost effective so that every kid can go. The more they sell, the less they'll have to pay per person. The $300 is more or less a guide

�In addition to the parade, the trip will also be educational for the band students. They will visit Shedd Aquarium, Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago Museum of Art, Sears Tower, a Broadway-type show and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library.

"In continuing the tradition of taking a trip every two years, every effort is made to provide the students with an educational experience they will remember for a lifetime and that they can afford," band officials noted in the trip proposal for high school students.