There is a distinction between 'laid off' and 'non-renewed' in education. In the past, after four years of satisfactory job performance, teachers were up for something usually called 'continuing contract' or 'professional contract', otherwise known as 'tenure'. In many states, as well as in many districts in our state, even tenured teachers have been laid off.
Fortunately, WCSD has not had to lay off any of the teachers who fall into this category. Now the state has switched to an 'annual contract' only stance, meaning that starting serveral years ago, teachers who are hired can be 'non-renewed' at the end of any school year. It's sort of like the way it works in the business world, except teachers usually get an entire school year to demonstrate positive job performance, unlike the business world where you can be terminated at any moment.
Most teachers employed in the WCSD are 'professional contract' but all new teachers fall into the 'annual contract' category. Ms. Anderson has been able to keep all 'professional contract' teachers employed, therefore, there haven't been any lay-offs. This is in contrast to many districts across the nation, where lay-offs have been rampant.
Ms. Anderson's ability to keep teachers employed has been beneficial to our economy as the school district is one of the county's largest employers. Ms. Hutchinson has mentioned teacher raises as part of her platform, but fails to mention that in order to give teachers raises, she would have to let some 'annual contract' teachers and other employees go, as the state funding won't suppor such a platform. The ensuing lay-offs would have a negative impact on our economy. Ms. Anderson has done a brilliant job keeping people employed despite the funding constraints and it's been beneficial to Walton County's economy.