Liberty schools notify teachers about 29 layoffs

Staff report

liberty

The school district has told 29 teachers that they are laid off next year as part of an annual reduction- in-force notification.

The board announced the layoffs at its meeting earlier this week.

Superintendent Mark Lucas said state law requires the layoff notices by April 30.

The RIF notices follow estimates of how many teachers the district will need for the coming year, Lucas said.

Lucas said districts estimate staffing based on finances and enrollment data.

He said that this year, the passage in May of a 7.4-mill, five-year renewal levy was a big factor when considering the RIF layoffs.

The levy generates $1.7 million, or 11 percent, of the district’s general-fund revenues a year, Lucas said.

He said he hopes people realize the levy will not increase taxes but keeps the status quo.

Other factors affecting whether teachers will be called back for next year include a final head count after kindergarten enrollment and whether preschool grants will be renewed, he added.