The Peninsula School District handed out 63 layoff notices to teachers Tuesday, joining the list of districts slashing budgets next year.
Peninsula faces an estimated $5 million budget gap. The school district took the first step toward addressing it by giving notices to more than 10 percent of its teaching force.
The majority of affected teachers are in the elementary grades because there are fewer students at that age level and because Peninsula is also proposing to reduce its kindergarten program from five to four days a week, officials said.
Not only is the district of 8,700 students facing a reduction in state money, but also its student population is expected to drop by 300 next year.
Deputy superintendent Chuck Cuzzetto said some teachers could be hired back to work at a different building. He said about half of those who received notices may yet end up back with the district next fall.
Peninsula also gave notices to counselors, effectively cutting 3.3 full-time positions.
The notices came as the district is considering cutting the hours of some support staff, and administrators are taking a 1 percent to 5 percent salary cut.
“Any way you look at it, it’s a tough decision,” Superintendent Terry Bouck said. “We’re not happy with it.”
Districts across the state face a May 15 deadline to inform teachers whether their contracts will be renewed.
Two years ago, the Gig Harbor area was preparing for a boom. Entire neighborhoods were being planned as the state got ready to open the second Narrows bridge.
But development has stopped with the economic slowdown, Bouck said.
The school district consulted administrators, teachers, staff members and parents last month to determine priorities for the 2009-10 budget.
It was clear residents wanted to preserve class sizes, and Bouck said the district will still be able to do that.
“We’ve got 300 less students, which means we’re going to need less teachers,” he said.
Brent Champaco: 253-597-8653
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