Saturday October 19th, 2024 6:21AM

Encouraging words for Gainesville school teachers

By Jerry Gunn, Ken Stanford
GAINESVILLE - Gainesville school teachers were told Friday morning the school board hopes to restore their local supplement as soon as it can but some of the teachers - with unpaid furlough days on the horizon - said they are approaching the new school year with apprehension.

Addressing the annual teacher convocation, which precedes the start of school each year, Board Chairman David Syfan told teachers the board intends to restore their supplement as soon as it's financially possible, calling the supplement reductions a temporary measure brought on by the current recession.

Gainesville Elementary School instructional coach Titia Sargent said she's looking forward to the new school year, but not the three state-mandated unpaid furlough days caused by economy related revenue shortfalls.

"It's troubling because my husband has lost money at work and now us as teachers are losing money, so it's going to be particularly difficult on a lot of people," Sargent said.

Gainesville schools will do an online survey before deciding when to schedule the furlough days.

The convocation was held at the new middle school on Jesse Jewell Parkway near New Holland.

Associate Superintendent Dave Shumake, who guided the construction of the $33 million facility, welcomed school teachers and school workers to to the convocation. He said the school is ready for the opening bell on Tuesday, with the certificate of occupancy expected to be issued later in the day.

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