March 1 - Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools

Back to web versionPosted on Tue, Mar. 10, 2009KCK School District prepares for staff cutsBy DAWN BORMANNThe Kansas City StarHoping for the best and planning for the worst, the Kansas City, Kan., School District will issue preliminary pink slips Friday for 36positions in the central office.Board members reluctantly agreed to that action Tuesday because of the potential need to cut more than $21 million during the2009-10 school year. The Legislature has yet to complete its school finance plan for next year. But administrators said theyneeded to act because of state deadlines for setting contracts with certified staff members.The district will tell central office employees which positions could be eliminated unless federal stimulus money and additionalstate funding come through. But the board won’t give final approval to the reductions before late March.Affected employees will continue working through the academic year. And it’s likely that some laid off could be recalled.Yet for now, administrators said they must begin planning to preserve instruction.They acknowledged that it means some talented employees will have to look for work elsewhere. But they wanted to giveemployees as much notice as possible. And the district must start planning for a much-reduced budget.Board President Gloria Willis voted against the proposal, saying morale was already low.Administrators acknowledged that using stimulus money could solve some of the problem, but it was too soon to say whether themoney would be released before contract deadlines were up.Looking toward next year, if the state cuts 6 percent, the district expects to lose as much as $16 million. In that case, the districtcould be forced to cut 151 staff members, including teachers. If the state cuts 10 percent, the district expects to lose as much as$21.8 million. In that case, the district could be forced to cut 185 staff positions. The district employs about 3,450 people.Still, the cuts are subject to dramatic changes before anything is final.To reach Dawn Bormann, call 816-234-5992 or send e-mail to dbormann@kcstar.com.© 2009 Kansas City Star and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.kansascity.comWednesday, Mar 11, 2