Waterford School Board Lays Off History Teacher

Thursday night, the Board of Education agreed to not renew the contracts of a teacher and three long-term substitutes, a decision based off of a reduction in staff and not on their performance.

“This has no connection what-so-ever to performance,” Superintendent Jerome Belair said. “It is strictly related to a reduction in force and there would not be a position for this staff member.”

The group unanimously voted not to renew the contract – essentially lay off - of Courtney Hesch, who teaches eighth-grade history at Clark Lane Middle School. Additionally, the board agreed to not bring back three long-term substitutes: Dorothy Raviele, Samantha McCarthy and Kathleen Ward.

In the Board of Education’s budget proposal for the upcoming school year, the actual number of positions increased. However, two positions were cut at the high school – one from the English department, one from the social studies department – as other positions were added elsewhere. 

Positions at the high school were cut because there is decreased enrollment at Waterford High, according to a pervious interview with Belair. One position was able to be shed through attrition, but the other required a layoff.

That layoff was to Hesch, the least senior eligible person, Belair said. That follows state law and the teachers union contract, he said.