25 Alachua County teachers to remain at original schools after reassignment reversal

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) -Twenty-five Alachua County Public School teachers who were reassigned last week will be allowed to stay at their original schools, district officials confirmed.

Reversal comes ahead of first day of school

Interim Superintendent Kamela Patton had originally ordered the reassignments to move teachers to low-performing schools. The decision was reversed following pushback from teachers and others in the district.

Alachua County Education Association President Crystal Tessmann said the mood among teachers who can now remain at their schools is one of relief.

“They’re just so happy to be where they want to be,” Tessmann said.

Tessmann said she does not believe the original decision was made with harmful intent.

“I don’t think this was done with the intent to harm teachers. I think this was done with the intent to help students, but sometimes the way our ideas come to fruition is not what people imagine, and I think it’s important for people in power to be able to reverse their decisions when it wasn’t the right thing,” Tessmann said.

Some staff transfers still moving forward

Incoming District Five School Board Member Jancie Vinson said she supports the reversal, noting many teachers had already set up their classrooms.

However, 20 other staff members will still transfer due to requirements from the Florida Department of Education.

Pre-planning for teachers began Monday, with the first day of school set for next Monday, August 10.

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