The Huntington County Community School Corporation came to a divided vote Monday night over cutting 22 teachers from its staff.
The approval was given to reduce the teaching positions by a 4-2 vote, with School Board President Kevin Patrick and Board Member Scott Hoffman voting against it.
Superintendent Tracey Shafer said he initially received approval to deliver up to 35 pink slips to teachers. He said he had issued 33 preliminary notices.
“Through the staffing and reduction process, we found it necessary to act on 22 of those, which was completed (Monday) night in a reduction of force process,” he explained.
Shafer said those 22 teachers will go on a “recall list” to be called back as staffing is finalized for the next school year, by order of seniority.
Teaching positions were cut at the high school because of reduced course requests and from other schools because of lower student enrollment and consolidation of schools, Shafer explained.
Another reason for two teachers to be cut is the end of grant-funded Stimulus money that paid for their salaries. Those funds have now run out. In addition, four or five Title I grant-funded positions may have to go because funding for the grant has been delayed by the federal government.