Layoffs loom, so Volusia teacher keeps options open

Claudia Zequeira
Monday, April 28, 2008

When John Augustin moved to Volusia County from Pittsburgh two years ago, a pink slip was the last thing the 27-year-old teacher expected.

Layoffs were common in his home state, but now they might become a reality at Enterprise Elementary, where the special-education teacher works.

Augustin, who lives in Deltona with his wife and 11/2-year-old son, said his principal recently gathered employees at the school to say that some of them may not have jobs next year.

“It was very somber in the room. It was one of the only faculty meetings where there wasn´t chit-chat among the teachers,” Augustin said. “I´m a second-year teacher. I´m not tenured...I feel very vulnerable.”

Augustin is not alone in Volusia. Last week, the county said it would have to eliminate 300 teaching jobs. Of those, about 200 would be wiped out through attrition, according to district spokeswoman Nancy Wait.

But about 100 teachers could get laid off.

To cope with the uncertainty, Augustin set up a Web page where he posted his resume, along with a picture of his son, to alert prospective employers. Besides teaching, he highlighted other skills on the page, such as his sales experience and the fact he holds a CPR certificate.

“I´m hoping to remain a teacher,” Augustin said. “But at this point, I´m looking around to see what´s out there. I like Central Florida, and I´d like to be able to stay.”

Copyright © 2008, Orlando Sentinel