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Parkersburg South business teacher denied contract renewal

Photo by Michael Erb Attorney Pat McFarland, left, and Parkersburg South High School business teacher Chris “Crush” Rusher, right, prepare to present information and testimony during Wednesday’s hearing before the Wood County Board of Education. Rusher called for the hearing after he was denied a probationary contract renewal due to his position being cut at South.

PARKERSBURG — The Wood County Board of Education on Wednesday upheld a superintendent’s recommendation to eliminate a position in Parkersburg South High School’s School of Business.

The board met briefly in closed-door session following a nearly two-hour employee hearing. The board took no vote after it returned to open session, with board President Lawrence Hasbargen giving a brief statement.

“It is the recommendation of this board of education that we follow the superintendent’s recommendation,” Hasbargen said.

Teacher Chris “Crush” Rusher called for the hearing after he was denied a probationary contract renewal due to the cut. Rusher spearheaded the creation of an embedded school of business at Parkersburg South, the only one of its kind in the country, he said.

Rusher initially presented his case April 25 during the public comments portion of a meeting where two transfer hearings were held, but was granted a full hearing this week. The board approved a list of probationary contracts at the April 25 meeting. Rusher’s name was not included in that list.

“I flat out believe this is the wrong cut to make. I don’t wish it on anybody,” Rusher said. “I have a real strong passion for this and I’ve been productive and want to continue. I need more time to keep pushing the cart forward.”

Attorney Pat McFarland, who represented Rusher during Wednesday’s hearing, argued the administration’s decision to cut Rusher did not take into factor increasing enrollment in the business program at South or Rusher’s contribution to the program.

McFarland also argued the cut was illegal as it did not fall under the district’s reduction-in-force, or RIF, and transfer process, and the non-renewal was done because of those deadlines being missed.

“If it is done in an arbitrary and capricious manner, it is illegal,” McFarland said. “We believe it is a shortsighted decision and it is illegal. We believe the cuts can be found somewhere else.”

Director of Personnel Sean Francisco did not present new evidence Wednesday, instead resubmitting the information given by Wood County Schools at the April 25 meeting. At that meeting, Francisco showed positions were cut due to a drop in enrollment which is the basis of the state funding formula.

Francisco said Wednesday the cut at South was based on a reduction of positions at the school and Rusher had a probationary contract and was working on a permit rather than a full teaching certification. State law required those be cut before a fully licensed teacher.

“All indications are he is a wonderful teacher, performs at a high level and does wonderful things with the business program,” Francisco said.

“He was caught up in a numbers game.”

Rusher has completed a master’s degree program and is expected to receive his teaching certification within the next week.

McFarland said while it might be difficult to find a different position to cut at Parkersburg South, which also lost two teaching positions in math and English, there were other positions in the county the board could review.

McFarland pointed to Parkersburg High School, noting the school has only 150 more students but 12 more teachers than South.

“You can find the cuts somewhere else. You can find the savings somewhere else,” McFarland said.

Francisco said officials did look at other areas and administrators were involved in decisions concerning cuts at those schools.

“We tried our best to follow code and affect the fewest number of students,” he said.

McFarland also presented testimony on Rusher’s work in establishing a business school at Parkersburg South, his integrity as an educator, and the program’s benefits for students.

Among those who testified was South business teacher Adam Snider, who credited Rusher as the driving force behind the business school as well as an increase in student interest and enrollment in the program.

The school has at least 66 additional students coming into the program this fall, but cannot take more because of the loss of the teaching position, Snider said.

Rusher has “inspired me to be a better teacher. I couldn’t do it without him,” Snider said while holding back tears. “This man and I have spent countless hours trying to improve our business program. I will try my best, but I cannot do as well without Crush.”

In other business, the board pulled two recommendations for Fenton Art Glass property purchases in Williamstown. The factory and adjacent parking lot have been selected as the site of the new Williamstown-Waverly Elementary School.

The votes were pulled after board members met behind closed doors and expressed concern over the wording of the purchase agreements.

Superintendent John Flint said the board will hold a special meeting at 5 p.m. June 1 to discuss the purchase.

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