Sims’ act makes the cut easier on ROCSD
A veteran Red Oak educator’s decision led to a resolution regarding a proposed reduction of an administrative position in the school district.
At the school board meeting last week, superintendent Tom Messinger an-nounced that Washington Intermediate principal Barb Sims was going to transition from principal to a full-time science instructor. Sims said she volunteered for the change to help save on staff reductions.
“I don’t want to see anybody get cut. I’m at an age where you think about where I was in life that I was enjoying things the most. For me, it was teaching science at the middle school. I talked to Tom and volunteered to step down if I could get a teaching position, and he made that happen,” Sims said.
She added that her heart lies in working with students in the classroom, which is what she’s most looking forward to with the change.
“I love teaching and watching the light bulbs go on. I love motivating students to love learning themselves, and getting them to the point they want to learn. I’m really looking forward to that,” said Sims.
While the grade level she’s teaching at the middle school hasn’t been assigned yet, she’s hopeful for the sixth grade class.
“I’ve already been with that class for two years at Washington. Moving with them to the middle school is an exciting prospect for me. The class is very hands-on, and I’m a hands-on teacher,” commented Sims.
Sims added that there’s no job at the Red Oak School District and that her husband has told her she’s moving full-circle.
“It’s a happy place for me. It was a happy place when I started here, and I have stuck with the district for all these years because I really like it here,” Sims explained.
While excited about getting back into the classroom, Sims said she will miss the influence she had as a principal.
“I’m going to miss helping people problem-solve, but when I was a teacher, I was still able to help people solve their problems, so I’m hopeful I’ll still get the chance to do that as an instructor,” said Sims.
Superintendent Tom Messinger said Sims will have a regular teaching contract with an amount respecting and honoring her years of experience and education level. He added that with Sims’ move, all the staffing cuts have been taken care of through attrition.
“Before this change, there would have been one person still out of a job. Now every cut has been taken care of. Mrs. Sims excitement about teaching science, and a couple other staff members have shifted positions and who didn’t act in a selfish manner to allow us to make this happen,” Messinger said.
The Red Oak School Board motioned unanimously to allow for the contract modification.