Upset parents of fifth grade students at Avonworth Elementary School told board members at Monday's work session that they did not agree with the timing of the administration's decision to fill an open teaching position in the sixth grade with a current fifth grade teacher.

The sixth grade vacancy was created when the board hired Scott Miller to fill a newly created assistant principal position starting this semester at the elementary school. His vacant teaching position will be filled by David Bartolac, who is a fifth grade teacher at the elementary school.

School officials were hoping to fill the fifth grade position with a substitute teacher by the end of the week. Superintendent Dr. Valerie McDonald said that a substitute teacher will be used until the administration determines what staff members are coming back from leaves.

The parents said that they were not questioning the qualifications of either Miller or Bartolac, but rather the mid-year timing and speed of the decisions, and why a substitute could not be found for the sixth grade rather than the fifth.

"We are just shell-shocked," one parent said.

In letters written to the school board, the parents raised concerns about problems a substitute might face by taking over in the middle of the school year, including the ability to adapt and learn and teach the curriculum, develop an awareness of the students' individual needs and a familiarity with the students.

According to McDonald, the vacant teaching position was opened first to current staff. She said that although Avonworth is not required to hire from within the district, the teachers' contract says that a vacant position first must be posted internally for 10 business days.

McDonald said that Bartolac was chosen because he is "one of the most seasoned veterans." She said that another advantage of Bartolac taking the position is that he knows the students he will be teaching, having taught them as fifth graders.

McDonald said that the sixth grade position needs an “exceptionally independent and proficient instructor” because there is no math coach in the middle school to assist the teacher, as there is at the elementary school.

Board members told the parents that they understood their concerns.

"I feel for you 'cause I have been there," board member Brenda Barlek said.