Linkhorne orchestra teacher reinstated

A popular Linkhorne Middle School orchestra teacher will stay in her post, officials said during Tuesday’s Lynchburg school board meeting.

Linkhorne Middle School parents petitioned the school board to prevent the layoff of Nancy Koes, Linkhorne Middle School orchestra director, under the division’s reduction in force policy and the board acquiesced.

“There is not going to be change of staffing at Linkhorne Middle related to the orchestra,” said board chair Julie Doyle referring to Koes. “That was done within the confines of our current RIF (reduction in force) policy as it stands now.”

The policy states exceptions can be made when an employee’s “special skills or active assignment is essential to the effective operation of the school program.”

The RIF policy is based on the tenure of full-time employees; Koes’ position is part-time.

Doyle said she would like to see the policy discussed during the board’s annual retreat in the fall; specifically how it affects part-time employees.