SEinsight

Apparently no one is guaranteed a job...but most likely tenured people will be rehired...of course that is only a guess from an outsider. Didn't the three high schools that are closing have to do staff reductions just this past year because of a decline of students? I am sure with a consolidated school, some students will choose to attend other places, which will likely lead to more staff reductions as well.

Are you assuming all these other teachers from the current schools have teaching positions at Harlan County High already? You have faculty from three schools combining to make one...and that district is already losing students...which made the consolidation necessary in the first place. Unless the district is laying these people off, you must have a position to place someone in. Coaching is a stipend, people are hired into the system as a position, whether it be certified or classified. I think these things need to be considered when decisions like these are made. Stipends can be from $6,000 to $10,000 more or less at any district. Positions are salary, depending on experience, with the coaching stipend added onto salary. I think it is wrong to layoff a teacher, (basketball and football are level I according to KHSAA), and should be a teaching certificate...which makes the position most likely $60,000 or more. Read above again, the new school is beautiful, but other things should factor in as well. I think it is wrong to lay off good people in the district that love Harlan County and want to see it succeed, just to get a name that may or may not last.

Most of you are talking about creating another job in a district that is already losing money and students and closing schools and laying off good teachers. Education should be a primary concern, coaching pay is a stipend. So are you saying lay off more good teachers in core classes and create another high paying job in a district that is losing money? I would think tax payers should be concerned, especially if there are already good people already there that have been faithful to the district.

Once again, these are kids, not professional athletes. Kids should have the opportunity to try new things without penalty in my opinion. I am sure most coaches do not want a kid around their program if the kid doesn't want to be there. It usually brings others down. Also, sports are considered extra, not required for graduation. Maybe the program that has made promises and has kids wanting to quit should be looked at rather than the program that has created interest. In theory, you are somewhat saying let's penalize one program because a student wants to play and not penalize the program that the student is unhappy with. Maybe the program that is losing players needs looked at to see why those players are leaving.

Maybe we should just punish a kid, yes kid, for trying a new sport. Better yet, if a kid tries out and doesn't want to be there, let's require the kid to remain there and possibly be a negative influence on others that want to be there. While the kid is sitting around not involved in sports, maybe he/she won't be discouraged and turn to other alternatives in the meantime, like drugs or bad grades. Sometimes kids are influenced into trying something new and promised everything in the world, but it doesn't always work out that way. Should that kid be punished for trying?

Middlesboro was without their post players the night harlan played them and had no answer rebounding inside.

Cawoodballplayer continues to disappoint me with his input on numerous topics (just like the new coach issue)...nevertheless I don't think Cawood has been 100% healthy all year. Checking the last 5 years, Harlan hasn't beaten Cawood. It will be a good rival game as always, and with Caldwell still out, Harlan has better opportunity. Nevertheless, Cawood beat Evarts by 39 on Monday and Harlan beat Evarts by 8 on Tuesday. That is why they play the game.