2013 in Review- Huff on 100 teachers leaving: Their spouses got new jobs

(From July 2013)
It's not dissatisfaction with the Joplin R-8 Administration that is driving teachers out of the school district, according to Superintendent C. J. Huff.

In an interview with Judy Stiles on MSSU's Newsmakers program, Huff makes no mention of dissatisfaction or the culture of fear that he and Assistant Superintendent Angie Besendorfer have created in the school district as being reasons for one of out every six teachers leaving.

It's the teachers' spouses that are causing the change.

Huff says, "We have a lot of spouses whose jobs are changing and they are moving out of the area." He also notes a sizable number of retirements.

All of that experience leaving the faculty will be no problem, Joplin's Annie Sullivan told Ms. Stiles:

"We have an exciting, dynamic group of new teachers."

Other topics addressed by Huff include the district's emphasis on social media, its redesigned web site, and the preparation for moving into new school buildings.