Most Tri-Cities Schools Don't Expect Teacher Layoffs
TRI-CITIES -- KEPR continues to keep tabs on the money situation in our local schools. A state budget still isn't done but just last week, districts in the Yakima area began announcing plans for layoffs. KEPR checked in with our local districts here in the Tri-Cities to see what you can expect.
Layoffs should be avoided in nearly all districts around the Tri-Cities.
No layoffs are planned for Richland, Kennewick, or Pasco. In fact, Kennewick plans to hire up to 15 new teachers. Pasco will bring in more as needed. We learned Hermiston and Walla Walla will also keep their teaching staff.
One exception is Kiona-Benton schools. In March, they planned for ten possible teacher lay-offs and now they've given layoff notices to six teachers. Ki-Be told KEPR the state budget is part of the reason but the district is expecting fewer kids enrolled so they won't need as many teachers.
Jamie Steelman's kids are part of that declining enrollment, she moved out of the Ki-Be district, "I think they need to put those teachers first and not some of the other stuff they're putting [money] into," said Steelman.
Ki-Be officials say its not just teachers, they also expect to reduce support and administrative staff. Action News found out other districts will avoid layoffs by using money they'd saved for a rainy day.
Kennewick expects to spend $3-$3.5 million of reserve funds to keep from cutting staff or services. While reserves can't last forever, many parents prefer spending the money to losing teachers.
Of course all districts are still waiting on the state before they can really know how their own budgets will look.
KEPR also learned layoffs will happen in the Umatilla School District.
They will lose 1.5 teacher positions along with an education assistant. Three custodians will see their positions cut to part time.
Layoffs should be avoided in nearly all districts around the Tri-Cities.
No layoffs are planned for Richland, Kennewick, or Pasco. In fact, Kennewick plans to hire up to 15 new teachers. Pasco will bring in more as needed. We learned Hermiston and Walla Walla will also keep their teaching staff.
One exception is Kiona-Benton schools. In March, they planned for ten possible teacher lay-offs and now they've given layoff notices to six teachers. Ki-Be told KEPR the state budget is part of the reason but the district is expecting fewer kids enrolled so they won't need as many teachers.
Jamie Steelman's kids are part of that declining enrollment, she moved out of the Ki-Be district, "I think they need to put those teachers first and not some of the other stuff they're putting [money] into," said Steelman.
Ki-Be officials say its not just teachers, they also expect to reduce support and administrative staff. Action News found out other districts will avoid layoffs by using money they'd saved for a rainy day.
Kennewick expects to spend $3-$3.5 million of reserve funds to keep from cutting staff or services. While reserves can't last forever, many parents prefer spending the money to losing teachers.
Of course all districts are still waiting on the state before they can really know how their own budgets will look.
KEPR also learned layoffs will happen in the Umatilla School District.
They will lose 1.5 teacher positions along with an education assistant. Three custodians will see their positions cut to part time.
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