Baynes faced public fire at the board's April 5 meeting for recommending that two dozen teachers not be asked back in September. She has since moved four of the teachers to her proposed renewal list, which the board was to vote on Monday. Baynes defended her decision to look to India as a source of qualified math and science teachers. She said of the eight or nine candidates so far, all have master's degrees and at least five years' experience in the classroom. All also speak fluent English, she said, and likely would only need a regular regimen of staff development courses.
Teachers are very difficult to find.
We've hired several who left mid year. Baynes said she would listen to teachers' suggestions for the district's professional development workshops and said the board had approved a new plan for teacher mentoring starting in September. Trustee Marguerite Canada said the no-confidence vote by teachers would not influence her ultimate decision on Baynes' contract. The contract would include bonuses based on the district's meeting certain academic benchmarks. The board's next vote on teacher renewals and Baynes' contract will probably take place May 10, board officials said.