School budget shortfalls have Pennsylvania school boards and administrators working on ways to trim their expenses. The quickest way to make an impact in their costs is by reducing teaching positions. Teacher salaries and benefits make up approximately 70% of a school district’s budget. School boards across the state have been addressing this problem by cutting extracurricular programs and reducing their teaching staff by not replacing retiring educators.
Current Pennsylvania law states that a tenured teacher can be laid off for only one of three reasons: a substantial reduction in student enrollment, curtailment of educational programs, or school consolidation. An educator may not be furloughed or laid off as a result of the districts current economic status; however, the simplistic language in the state law allows a school district to cut back or eliminate educational programs that are not required by law, which is what some districts are doing to address their budget shortfalls.
It is expected that there could be a reduction of 3,000 teachers and support staff this coming school year. KEYTA members are encouraged to contact our office if you have been notified by your administration that your teaching position has been eliminated, or if you will be laid off or furloughed so that we can ensure that your rights are being protected.
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