Alachua County teacher reassignments spark frustration ahead of new school year

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - More than 20 Alachua County Public Schools teachers have been reassigned to different schools less than two weeks before the first day of class, drawing frustration from parents and educators.

School starts Aug. 10. Teachers say they have had to pack up their classrooms, learn a new school, and prepare for a different group of students in a matter of days.

Parents have taken their concerns to social media, with some considering pulling their children from their current schools over the reassignments.

Danyel Boudreau, an Alachua County Public Schools parent, said the moves risk driving teachers out of the district.

“Don’t move them. It’s gonna push the talent away. Talent will leave the county. They won’t be able to get new teachers. I mean, a great teacher can change everything for a student’s success, and they’re just not gonna be there if this is how we treat them,” Boudreau said.

Parents said they understand the district has staffing needs but believe the changes should have been made well before the start of the school year.

Some teachers said they are afraid to speak out publicly, fearing consequences for doing so.

Crystal Tessman, president of the Alachua County Education Association, said the reassignments are the result of decisions made at the state level.

“It’s really important to tell your legislators if you don’t think this is okay because this is stuff that’s coming down from Tallahassee. And this is the real implication of it. The teacher that you were hoping to have your student go to for the last four years isn’t there because of politicians making decisions about things they don’t understand,” Tessman said.

District leaders said the reassignments were made to help meet staffing needs across the county.

Parents and teachers said they are hoping their concerns are heard at a school board meeting scheduled for Thursday night.

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