Editor, The News:

Although I will leave the political rhetoric to the politicians, I must respond to the misrepresentations of the school district hiring policy displayed in the letter of Nancy Kennedy.

Evidently Kennedy does not understand our hiring policy. The policy has been clearly defined and followed in recent hiring procedures in the school district.

Kennedy is mistaken to believe that five teachers who have served as substitute teachers have left the district because they were “bypassed” for others when a permanent position became available.

The truth is that the district hired two permanent teachers this year. Both of the teachers hired had served the district longer than anyone in auxiliary roles, such as substituting. If any teachers left the district it was not due to being “bypassed” for permanent teaching positions.

I find it interesting that Kennedy is concerned to the level of writing to The News without ever contacting the district offices for clarification or visiting a school board meeting to address her concerns.

Each month, the public is provided an opportunity to address the board with comments or questions. All policies, including the hiring policy, are made available to the public on our Web site. Kennedy would find a policy in place that provides an equitable opportunity for those who seek teaching positions.

It appears to me that Kennedy’s recent letters are an attempt to discredit the district rather than find the truth.

This district has taken tremendous and monumental steps forward in policy and operating procedures. There is nothing being hidden from the public, yet certain individuals take desperate steps to perpetuate a sense of turmoil in the school district, which simply is not occurring, evident to anyone who takes the time to evaluate all of the facts before rushing to judgment.

George Gabriel

superintendent

New Castle Area

School District