PA. Urban School Districts Facing ANOTHER Round of Massive Teacher Layoffs
Last edited Fri Mar 15, 2013, 02:19 PM - Edit history (1)
Examples include Allentown and Easton.
http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-allentown-school-board-0314-20130314,0,1847571.story
Excerpt:
"...administrators outlined the impact of slashing 150 teachers and 12 administrators; shortening high school students' day to seven periods; and eliminating music, gym, library and art teachers from middle and elementary schools.
If the budget cuts are approved, the elementary schools would lose a combined 21 related arts teachers, 15 interventionists, 15 instructional coaches, 10 first- through fifth-grade teachers, seven kindergarten teachers and a technology specialist. Four assistant principals and two principals would also be cut.
Allen and Dieruff High Schools would lose a combined 38.5 classroom teachers, six English as a second language teachers, four special education teachers and two assistant principals. The district would also cut a speech teacher and an assistant director of special education.
The middle schools would lose 19 related art teachers and 12.5 English as a second language teachers. Students would receive one related arts period per day instead of two."
Note - Elementary students in Allentown already only receive a total of 7 hours of art and 7 hours of music class per school year. Middle school sports were eliminated years ago. Over 150 teacher positions and tens of high school courses were eliminated 2 years ago.
Corbett has said that he will only provide any additional school funding if the Legislature immediately agrees to sell the State Store System and 1,200 new alcohol sales licenses.
However, the Republicans in the Legislature are fighting amongst themselves over which types of businesses will be favored in the sale - so a quick sale seems unlikely.
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Easton Area School District - 102 positions eliminated last year, 14 more proposed this year, hundreds eliminated 2 and 3 years ago.
www.lehighvalleylive.com/easton/index.ssf/2013/03/do_not_run_easton_area_school.html
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"the Harrisburg School District has let go about 300 teachers and closed three buildings over the past three years."
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/01/harrisburg_school_district_chi.html