Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly
Fort Wayne Community Schools will cut about 49 teaching positions as part of cost-cutting measures.
District officials have decided to cut $4 million from the current budget because of decreasing revenue and rising costs. That includes the equivalent of about 49 classroom teaching positions, which will account for $3.5 million in cuts, according to an FWCS statement. Cuts will be made based on seniority and certification. Layoff notices are expected to go out by the end of April.
Another $500,000 will come from other areas, but have not been finalized. FWCS spokeswoman Krista Stockman said some of those cuts could come from purchases of supplies; additional staff cuts have not been identified.
FWCS received about $2.3 million less in interest income than it budgeted last year, which is a major reason why cuts are necessary, the district said. Insurance and utility costs and salaries also continue to increase.
FWCS's finances will remain in flux until the state determines its budget for education funding and federal stimulus dollars are received, the district said. The district is required to notify teachers of layoffs by May 1.
In 2003, the district cut $11 million from its budget because of similar problems of rising costs and decreasing interest income.