LYNNWOOD – The Edmonds School Board will review a proposal Tuesday that could cut teaching positions but spare most people from losing their jobs.
The district hopes to take advantage of openings caused by retirements and resignations by reassigning some teachers to different positions.
It’s a sign of the times in a district that has been watching enrollment drop over the last several years. The district, which now has 20,611 students, is expecting 300 fewer next fall.
Schools receive money from the state based on the number of students enrolled. Edmonds is projecting about a $1 million revenue loss for next year.
For now, the district is looking to eliminate the equivalent of 10 teaching positions, but that is a preliminary number.
“It keeps evolving,” said Debbie Jakala, a school district spokeswoman.
District leaders still don’t know how many teachers will submit retirement or resignation letters before the school year ends. They are studying areas that can be reduced, in part because of less demand for the courses next year.
Some of those teachers likely have credentials to teach in other subject areas the district needs, Jakala said.
However, it is possible the district will need to send out “reduction in force” letters to a handful of teachers by May 15. That’s the date required by state law for school districts to notify teachers if they will have a contract the following year. It’s also possible anyone receiving those letters could still be on the district payroll next year when it becomes clearer which teachers are retiring or resigning.
The school board will be given a revised recommendation when it meets again May 10.
Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
