TARBORO — "The intent is to save teaching jobs regardless of what you think," said Dr. Wayne Talley.

The Edgecombe County Board of Education had a full house Monday night as it prepared to review a proposal to reorganize central services in lieu of impending budget cuts on the state and federal levels.

The proposed reorganization is slated to save the district $327,000 which is currently being used to fund three positions — associate superintendent of operations and management currently held by Dr. Lana VanderLinden, director of community relations currently held by Diane LeFiles and director of student support services currently held by Dr. Vonda Thweatt.

The proposed reorganization does create one position, a director of secondary grades 6-8.

Following a more than two hour closed session, the board decided to call a special meeting on Monday at 6:30 p.m. to vote on the matter.

Prior to explaining the proposed reorganization, the public weighed in on the issue with more than 10 people expressing their opinions.

"A pattern of hasty and seemingly irrational decisions has dominated our school system since last summer," said the Rev. Dr. Christopher Edmonston. " In my opinion it borders upon the irresponsible for you all to vote on this matter tonight. Just as one cannot design a budget based upon hope, one cannot plan for a budget based in despair."

Catherine Winslow spoke before the board with the letters of residents who were unable to attend the meeting but wanted their opinions known.

"Look at all of these people," she said. "They are here because they care about Edgecombe County Public Schools. We know that a strong county public school system is important to the county. Create a final plan that is as strong as it can be."

"I am becoming less and less confident in the superintendent to make decisions that will take us into the next decade," said Farrar Martin. "There's a bad feeling in the community about where we're about to go."

Other public comments questioned how the experience of LeFiles, VanderLinden and Thweat will be replaced and asked that a "common sense approach be used for restructuring."

Some residents felt that the issue of restructuring should be an issue for public debate while realizing that perception also plays a role in the decision making process.

Bernice Pitt said that she gives of her time and her company's wallet and questioned how "someone with seven months of experience can do better than someone with more than two decades of experience."

"Table the item until you can get some public input," Pitt said.

Jim Marrow viewed the issue from a business recruiting standpoint and said that "abrupt decisions with personnel are not conducive to getting new recruits."

Patsy Miller suggested that the elimination of one of the personnel in one of the proposed cuts is criminal, questioned how long Talley needs costly training and that since none of the board members had children in the system it was "time to move on and make room for new blood."

Curmilis Dancy provided the only public comments that did not completely bash Talley's proposed restructuring, citing that most employers do not give their employees notice nor seek input before making similar decisions and that Talley knows what needs to be done more than anyone else.

Talley presented his proposed reorganization to the board and began by explaining that the $3.5 billion shortfall facing the state is going to effect education, the entity that receives the bulk of the state's budgeted funds.

In his presentation, Tally pointed out that projections with a 5 percent budget cut include the loss of 27 teaching jobs, five instructional support positions, three vocational teachers, the loss of a principal or assistant principal plus three months of employment lost, and a cut of 29 teacher's assistants. Along with other cuts, a total of more than $3.4 million would be taken from the district.

Additionally, with a 10 percent cut, projections indicate the loss of 31.67 teaching positions and 61 teacher's assistants that when added with other cuts total more than $4.1 million.

"We've had cuts before," Talley explained. "There's nothing else to cut."

In 2007-08, eight positions were cut and in 2009-10, 26 positions were cut with 13 of those restored in September.

"There would be a net savings of $121,000," he said. "That equals three teaching positions. I think you see why we're going to cut. It's going to happen.

"The reason we're cutting these positions is because we don't want to impact the positions that are closest to students," continued Talley.

Board Member and Attorney Teresa Bryant said that she is a proponent of a reorganization of central services but wanted to know how the duties of the eliminated positions will be absorbed into the district and who will perform them.

"We need to look at the issue of function," she said. "Could they be absorbed? This plan is not ridiculous but it is difficult in implementing."

Bryant also called for a close examination of the functions of the proposed positions to be cut rather than the people holding the positions.

Retired Educator and Board Member Faye Taylor expressed concern over absorbing some duties to that of the executive assistant, saying that the responsibilities of that job are already numerous and that adding to that will make it harder for the next person who comes into that position.

"I am opposed to this particular document," she said. "It was not given in enough time for us to look over it and discuss it."

Board Member and Retired Educator Dr. Evelyn Johnson reminded everyone that the futures of Edgecombe County's children are at stake and that sometimes adults tend to complicate matters.

"Adults, get out of the way," she said. "If we continue to make small things bug things we'll continue to get what we've always gotten. We need to look at this stuff and hash it over."

Board Member and Former ECPS Employee Keith Pittman said that he was once subject to similar budget cuts and that he told people in his district not to hassell the decision makers for doing what had to be done.

"He did what he thought was right," Pittman said of his position being cut previously. "I did not raise the devil. I went to those people and said 'stop it' because I understood what he was doing.

"I've got to do what's right and I'm not in a big hurry to do it but I will do what's right for the kids," he continued. "I'm going to do what I think is best for the kids of Edgecombe County."

After sharing his experience, Bryant pointed out that when similar cuts had been made previously that a similar share of support had not been shown.

"In my opinion, they are no different," she said.

Board Vice Chairwoman Ann Kent spoke with Rep. Joe Tolson, D-Edgecombe, whom she said advised the board to wait on word from the state regarding cuts before implementing them.

"Where we're sitting is not working and has not worked for some time," Kent said. "Let's wait until closer to the end of the year and get the budget from Raleigh. I'm not ready. I think this is premature and the board should table it."

Kent added that people who will be retiring or resigning were not figured into Talley's proposal.

Board Member Janice Davidson agreed with comments prior to hers and said that personnel piece — as to who will absorb what duties — needs to be fleshed out further.

"There is some duplication of services," she said.

Board Chairwoman Evelyn Wilson said that closed session discussion was vital and that when it comes to making a decision "we will do it properly and in order."

"We needed you comments," Wilson said of those in the audience. "They are important."