In continuation of MSCS restructure, Hamilton, Kingsbury High teachers must reapply
Dozens of employees at Hamilton and Kingsbury High Schools will have to reapply for their jobs for the upcoming school year as part of a "fresh start" process the district says is meant to evaluate school culture and climate for student success.
Both of the high schools received new principals this year in district-wide restructuring Superintendent Joris Ray undertook last summer. The "long overdue" process yielded dozens of new academic hires across central office and school leadership.
The "fresh starts" at the schools are a continuation of the academic restructuring, the district said Wednesday.
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Close to 80 jobs are listed at Kingsbury High School next year, and about half as many are listed at Hamilton High, according to the district's job board Wednesday afternoon.
A copy of the notices given to teachers, obtained by The Commercial Appeal, states the form "serves as communication that my position has been changed or eliminated" and notification of a "fresh start" at the school.
MSCS says the "fresh starts" are meant "to reassess staff and ensure the best outcomes for students," and confirmed employees at those locations will have to follow an application process by human resources.
"I am unapologetic about taking any and every step necessary to move our District to a Level 5, premier institution that offers a world-class education for EVERY student," Ray said in a statement. " We are at a pivotal point in our District, and I will continue to reinforce the goal to move from intervention to innovation.”
The district said it wouldn't share any additional information about personnel changes or transitions.
Ray's academic restructuring comes amid the district's Reimagine 901 strategic plan, which includes an facilities consolidation component as well as academic goals as the district aims to recover student academic achievement lost in the pandemic.
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With the closure of two schools at the end of this year, at Alton Elementary and Shady Grove, other teachers could stand to lose jobs. It is unclear how many of the positions will transfer to schools students are re-zoned to.
The district continues to have dozens of vacancies for teacher positions this year.
It was not immediately clear if the district teacher unions had been notified or would negotiate any of the changes.
Laura Testino covers education and children's issues for the Commercial Appeal. Reach her at laura.testino@commercialappeal.com or 901-512-3763. Find her on Twitter: @LDTestino
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Hamilton, Kingsbury High teachers must reapply in continued restructure
