FLINT -- "We took a very hard hit," said Superintendent Linda Thompson.
The Flint School District, like many others across the state, has made tough cuts to their budgets.
"You get to the point where there's not much left to cut that you're not touching children," said Superintendent Linda Thompson.
The school board voted to cut more than $25 million out of their budget Wednesday night, the deepest cut the district has seen in a long time.
However, Superintendent Linda Thompson says a child’s education is still their top priority.
"Our curriculum is still in tact, our teaching force is still in tact,” said Superintendent Thompson. “We do have class size limits that we've maintained. We are not going above that.”
The budget cuts more than 460 people from the 2012 payroll.
English teacher Dan Hillaker has already received his pink slip, but hopes he’ll be one of the few teachers called back.
"I don't look forward to going elsewhere to teach. I love teaching in Flint," said Hillaker.
Hillaker says financial stress is never easy, but at the end of the day he wants what’s best for his students.
"So that the kids who love to learn can still have that opportunity, and the teachers who love to teach can still have that opportunity," said Hillaker.
Superintendent Thompson says despite budget hardships, she still remembers what she came into this business for, which is affecting kid’s lives.
"If I keep that in mind, I can take that hit and get back up.” said Superintendent Thompson. “I sincerely hope that our legislatures understand the nature of what we do."
Until that day comes, Hillaker, like many other teachers are left with uncertainty as what the next school year brings.
*Author: Miranda Richardson
