Teacher and Staff Turnover Examined

Several people have contacted ESO with questions about the turnover in teachers and staff within Essex County Public Schools.  To determine the facts, ESO issued a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request to the Superintended and President of the School Board.  We asked for 5 years data in three major categories: Teachers and Aides, Supervisory Staff, and Central Office Staff.

The original estimate for research and copying was 2 hours.  However, the research, compilation of data, and copying took 7 hours.  Apparently the Human Resources Management function within the School System does not have a searchable data base.  Responding to ESO’s FOIA request required an employee to review manual records to determine personnel losses and the reasons for leaving the School System.

Taxpayers, ESO reimbursed the School System for the actual billed hours.  While this information should be readily available, we don’t believe that the taxpayers should have to pay for an opportunity to review the facts.

We leave the interpretation you, our readers.  Clearly there was an exceptional turnover during the 2007 to 2008 School Year.  The turnover in both 2010 to 2011 and 2011 to 2012 appears to be high.

We would welcome comments for both current Public School employees and retirees/former employees regarding the number reported about and the underlying reasons for the periods of high turnover.  If you wish to remain anonymous, ESO WILL NOT disclose your name or contact information.  Please remember that you can be a part of our effort bring Sunshine into Essex County but sharing information and asking questions.

John Clickener