After weeks of wondering if they'd have a job next year, about 30 New Castle Community School Corp. teachers got their answer on Monday.
Because of budget cuts, teachers received letters in recent weeks notifying them they could be laid off. Those layoffs went from a possibility to a definite answer on Monday, when administrators met with the teachers explaining their positions were being cut.
Supt. Steve Fisher said he hopes to call many of those teachers back to work. But whether that's possible depends on how much money the school can save with changing health insurance plans, something he said is still being negotiated.
The layoffs were another step in the corporation's plan to save money. Because of state cuts, property tax shortfalls and other factors, NCCSC must cut about $2.7 million from its budget.
Last month, the school board voted to redistrict Greenstreet Elementary School students and use the building for the Raintree Education Center. Fisher has said layoffs and insurance changes will also help to save money.
On Monday, Fisher said more teachers were laid off than what might be necessary in case the school is cut even further this summer.
Cindy Kurz, vice president of the New Castle Education Association, said there were no surprises in the meetings Monday.
"Since we have been dealing with this for a few months, we are not shocked about it," she said. "I truly believe it was handled very well. Unfortunately it's necessary at this time, and we do understand that."
At the elementary schools, Kurz said teachers were laid off strictly by seniority. For the middle and high school, she said, it was determined by seniority within the various departments.
That meant not all the teachers laid off were in their first or second year. Kurz said one teacher being laid off has 24 years of experience.
Outside of the elementary school, cuts were made to departments across the board. Kurz said departments with cuts include adult basic education, art, music, physical education, business, English, math, social studies, science, guidance, industrial tech and family and consumer science.
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