Andy Graham, Herald-Times
Spring break might provide a welcome respite for Monroe County educators this week, but nearly 90 of them will find reduction-in-force layoff notices awaiting soon after they return.
The current school budget crisis isn’t taking a hiatus, and ramifications will continue to manifest in upcoming weeks and months.
Peggy Chambers, MCCSC assistant superintendent for human resources, and MCEA teachers union president Linda Richardson will start visiting schools next week to deliver the bad news regarding layoffs to teachers. All such notifications are contractually required to be completed by April 1 in the Monroe County Community School Corp.
The MCCSC reduction-in-force number is far higher than usual, with 87 positions now targeted within $5.8 million of general fund budget cuts approved last month by the school board in the wake of significant state funding shortfalls. But there is still a chance, as with most years, that some of those laid off will eventually be recalled, which could happen virtually up to the start of school next fall.