By Staff
Thomas Tingle
Record Managing Editor
Rep. Sue Schmitz said she would resign as a government teacher at Sparkman High School effective Feb. 1.
Her resignation comes following a decision made last spring by the Madison County Board of Education that requires employees who hold elective office to take leave without pay while serving that office. Schmitz said her resignation was a direct result of the school board's decision to limit her time off with pay.
"I tried to work out an arrangement with the school board, but the board did not comply to this arrangement," Schmitz said. "I agonized over the decision because I'm very close to all of my students, but I felt like I had no choice but to resign."
Schmitz said she found out that more than 1,000 names were written on a petition by students at Sparkman to present to the school board asking the board to consider changing the new pay policy.
"I was glad to know that so many students were there to support me. I thank all of them," Schmitz said.
Beginning Feb. 1, Schmitz will begin working for the Community Intensive Treatment for Youth program where she will serve as the state program coordinator for community relations for the 10 CITY locations throughout Alabama. The program provides an alternative school and counseling for court-ordered delinquents and their families.
"I will be the spokesperson for this program and I'm very excited about taking on this new job," Schmitz said.
With three years remaining before retiring, Schmitz said will be able to transfer her time in education and still be a part of the state retirement system. Schmitz said listing her time off as unpaid while serving in Montgomery would have affected her retirement by cutting the number of days she would be listed as working.
Before leaving Sparkman on Feb. 1, she will take the school's government team to the State Government Competition that will be held on Jan. 30-31. Should the team win, they will advance to the national competition.