ARLINGTON, Va. — The plan to restructure the Department of Defense Education Activity is the latest tussle between the teachers union and administration.
Earlier this month, the Federal Education Association gave Stars and Stripes internal DODEA documents that it claimed show that DODEA plans to cut 350 middle school teachers.
DODEA Director Shirley Miles has said DODEA is looking at increasing class sizes in middle school, but while some teachers may lose their jobs, there are no plans to cut that many teachers.
DODEA is trying to make class sizes consistent, Miles said.
That may include making class sizes in middle school bigger to free up positions for kindergarten, where there are more pupils per teacher, she said.
"No one — even if they would lose their job — no one would just have someone just come to work and say, ‘By the way, in a month you’re not going to have a job.’ I mean, who does that?
"That’s unconscionable. And we, you know, we are an educational organization. We are not a GM. We’re not talking about widgets. We don’t close the door and lock the gates and say, ‘Oh, by the way, you don’t have a job.’ I mean, that’s ridiculous," Miles said.
Miles sent a May 13 memo to teachers to clarify DODEA’s proposals on class sizes, but FEA President Michael Priser said teachers still have questions.
While it is clear Miles plans to cut teachers, her May 13 memo does not say how many positions might be eliminated, and her calculations for the ratio of pupils to teachers are unclear, Priser said.
"I would like to propose that you and I hold a series of town hall-style meetings, held at various locations throughout DODEA, where we can meet with concerned parents, students, staff and military leaders," Priser wrote in an e-mail to Miles. "This could be an opportunity for a frank and open conversation about the proposed changes with an opportunity for those directly affected by them, to have their questions answered."
Priser said he expects to discuss the matter with Miles at a June 10 meeting.
Tell usWhat do you think of the DODEA plan to increase the student-to-teacher ratio in the middle schools while lowering the ratio in kindergartens?Contact us at: respond@stripes.osd.mil.
