KANAWHA COUNTY, W. Va. (WSAZ) -- Uncertainty looms for some educators in Kanawha County who could lose their jobs because of a decrease in state funding.
Last week, the county school system announced that more than 70 positions will be cut because of loss of state funding.
On Thursday, 34 teachers from Kanawha County Schools had to draw a number from a hat to see if they will still have a job with the school system for the 2017-2018 school year.
One of those teachers is Rebecca Rhett who teaches kindergarten at Overbrook Elementary.
"If you drew number one through 24, you get to keep your job or a job," Rhett said.
Rhett says teachers who drew any number between 25 and 34 are not guaranteed a position with Kanawha County Schools next school year.
"I was already crying before I went up because I was frustrated, so when I drew the 28 I just left," Rhett said.
Rhett says the only thing all 34 teachers have in common is their start date; they all started on Aug. 3, 2016.
"I looked around the room and it appeared most people were very young. Probably right out of college or not too far out of college," Rhett said.
Kanawha County Schools says the random selection procedure is part of code and based on seniority.
After teaching for 20 years, Rhett says she's frustrated her experience is not being taken into consideration. "Seniority is the only factor that counts. Experience from other counties doesn't count or your credentials doesn't count."
Kanawha County School says the teachers affected will be employed through June and could stay on the county is there is a retirement or someone leaves their job. If affected teachers do not have a job when school starts, they will go on a preferred rehire list.
