Teachers in Elkhart County laid off because of drop in enrollment

By MONICA JOSEPH, Goshen News
monica.joseph@goshennews.com

NAPPANEE - A continuing drop in enrollment at Wa-Nee Community Schools has led to the lay-offs of three elementary school teachers.

The School Board of Trustees voted 5-0 to approve the non-renewal of contracts Monday for Brenda Beehler, grade five, and Jeanne Balogh, grade one, both at Wakarusa Elementary School and JoEllen Merryman, grade two at Nappanee Elementary School.

The board was informed by Superintendent Joe Sabo that the lay-offs, called a Reduction in Force in legal terms, were based on seniority.

The three teachers were informed May 1 of the lay-offs, the date the state requires the notifications must be issued.

Sabo said the staff reduction was needed because of decreasing enrollment, which leads to less money in the school's general fund, the fund that pays teacher salaries. Enrollment dropped by 78 students from September to May.

"We had to do this to protect our general fund," Sabo said. "Our goal is to bring them back in some capacity."

He said the school system will be receive some economic stimulus money, which could be used to fund positions for the laid-off teachers.