School officials blame proposed education spending cuts
SAGINAW -- UPDATE: Monday, May 16 at 11:47pm
Saginaw Public Schools Superintendent Carlton Jenkins calls Monday's announcement of 65 teachers being laid off "devastating." Six administrators and more than 50 other support positions are being reduced as well.
"We're talking about quality of life here," he said. "This is bigger than just a school system. When you start talking about layoffs of 15 percent, you're talking about impact to our communities in terms of the employment rate."
Jenkins said the layoffs come in the form of 15 percent of departments across the board. The cuts were will help make up a $13.3 million deficit. That number is even more staggering considering the district cut about $15 million worth of expenses the previous four years combined. More decisions could be made in terms of cuts at a school board meeting Wednesday night. NBC25 will keep you updated.
Original report:
Sweeping cuts are coming to the Saginaw Public Schools. At least 127 staffers are being pink slipped, including 65 teachers and six administrators. The district is projected to be in the red more than $13 million.
Gov. Rick Snyder’s proposed $470 per pupil cut in education funding is only part of it, according to district spokeswoman Safiya Mosley. The district is looking at another $236 per pupil in state retirement costs, combined with a loss of federal stimulus dollars, declining enrollment and increases in employee healthcare costs, amounting to an over $1,600 per pupil loss.
The layoffs take effect on June 30, although some of those positions could be reinstated if the cuts from the state are less dramatic.
