Easton to Lay Off 17 Middle School Teachers (Summer Vacation Ruined!)

Somebody’s summer vacation just got a little longer.

The Easton Area School District is continuing on their cutting trend, adding to the 100 or so jobs they cut last year, but cutting more and more.

I’m sure they didn’t WANT to cut the jobs, but, this isn’t the type of PR you want to be dealing with.

The Easton Area School Board unanimously voted to lay off 17 Easton Area Middle School 5/6 teachers and an assistant principal.

Those layoffs come in addition to the 102 positions, including 49 teachers, cut when the school board passed a $133.4 million budget for 2012-13 in May.

The board last month approved a list of 47 teachers’ contracts that were suspended or not renewed. Some teachers accepted early retirement incentives.

Board president Robert Fehnel said the additional 18 layoffs went into effect Tuesday night. Board member Pat Vulcano Jr. did not vote because he was not present.

Board member Tim Reilly said the board decided to cut the jobs to close future budget deficits. The board anticipates a $4 million deficit in 2013-14 and $6.3 million the following year, according to a financial outlook presented in April by Chief Operating Officer Michael Simonetta. SOURCE: The Express-Times

Side note: When’s the last time Pat Vulcano, Jr. actually attended a school board meeting?

Serious question: What happens to all of these teachers now? It doesn’t seem to me that there are other school districts, at least locally, that are in the market to take on an influx of teachers. So, do they move onto some other profession or just start commuting to school districts that need them? IF there even are any?

At least they made the announcements now, giving the teachers some time to get their crap together. When they all get back from the beach, they are gonna be BUMMED.

The linked article does go on to name all the people who were laid off… which seems… kinda weird to me. I know it’s public record, but, that’s a bit… rude. 

Ha, I called them rude.

UPDATE: Turns out the district can’t release the names of the teachers who were laid off, but can list the paraprofessionals that were laid off and the paper has since amended the list.