LOXLEY, Ala. — The Baldwin County Board of Education met in a special work session Tuesday, March 9. All members, except for Elmer McDaniel were present for the meeting.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss personnel issues, especially what will happen if the “Penny Tax” does not pass later this month.

“There will be 473 lost jobs,” said Lester Smith, BCBE director of human resources. Smith said that 36 schools in the district will lose at least one teacher and, for three schools, losses could be as many as eight teachers each.

Even if the sales tax increase passes, it looks like there will be some job losses that won’t be covered by the expected number of retirements and resignations, Smith added.

“We are going to have to make some tough choices in the next two months,” said Smith. “Attrition is not going to take care of it.”

If the state raises the “divisors” or class sizes, jobs will be lost. While the exact number is not known, Lester estimates that there will be “at least” 98 jobs lost as a result of that action.

Federal “Stimulus Money” also plays a role. Smith said there were 38 “teaching units, not support units” that will be lost when that money runs out in 2011.

“If the tax (increase) does not pass. we will lose other locally funded positions,” said Smith.

At special risk is the non-tenured teachers in the system, Smith added. There are also positions for aides, Special Education aides, custodians and office staff and others that will be cut if the tax does not pass.

Because of deadlines for giving teachers and staff “pink slips,” the Board of Education has to formulate plans now.

“Non-renewals have to go out in April,” said Smith.

Smith added that the system may need to transfer teachers and other staff to fill vacancies, but would ask for volunteers to transfer first. There would not be “transfer incentives” available, he said.

As a last resort, “Emergency Mandatory Transfers” could be instituted Aug. 2 to Aug. 31. While a teacher can appeal the transfer, the person can be moved from one position to another while the appeal is in place.

“All this might be premature,”said JaNay Dawson, interim superintendent. She explained that if the sales tax referendum does pass, some of the job losses will be minimized.

Tracy Roberts, the school board president, added that it was, “Better to have a plan rather than non-renew every non-tenured teacher.”

Smith added that school principals would ”blow out of the water” when they see the numbers involved.

Dawson added that this was a “preliminary process.”