Teacher Interviews Meant To 'Ease Anxiety About Job Certainty'

School district administrators will interview teachers during the next couple weeks to try to relieve anxiety about future staffing plans in the schools, Superintendent Paul Kadri said after the Board of Education meeting Monday. 

The voluntary interviews are planned as part of the district’s “no lay-offs” stance, and as a preemptive move in the event that the district consolidates, said Kadri. The data gathered will be used “to put teachers at ease as to where they may end up teaching during the transition and after that, when the dust settles,” he said. 

The district is considering cosolidation as an option if the education budget is reduced by more than $1 million, or if the school construction project is approved by voters in May. 

Kadri said he hopes the interviews will lessen anxiety about job uncertainty and placement if the district consolidates.

The Groton school system employs approximately 450 teachers, and Kadri said an early retirement incentive offered earlier this year helped avoid layoffs. Secretaries and para-professionals will be interviewed next, he said. 

A five-question survey was e-mailed to teachers to gather information about their professional goals and aspirations and, said Groton Education Association Vice President Larry Croxton, provide “an opportunity to build yourself up.” 

Croxton said the interviews will be conducted by administrators, but there is nothing to fear. 

“No matter what you do, some people are cynical about the motivation. It’s such a stressful time for any profession,” he said. But, he added, “we sincerely believe that this is something to help teachers and not be stressful.” 

The survey asks:

• Do you see yourself remaining in the same position/area?
• Have you ever taught within your alternate certification area? When? How long?
• If you are interested in a career change, how do you plan on meeting requirements for certification (for example: a switch from middle school to elementary)?
• Do you anticipate retirement before the 2014-15 school year? (answering is voluntary)
• Do you have additional information to add (for example: extra-curricular interest, Groton resident, children in the district)?