At least 20 teachers cut from West Seattle schools

On May 18, Seattle Public Schools announced a reduction in force (RIF), or layoffs, that could take 20 different instructors from West Seattle schools.

West Seattle High School's staff was hit hardest in the district, with nine staff members cut. The school lost five language arts instructors including the newspaper advisor, yearbook advisor and a reading specialist. Other positions cut included a bilengual specialist and a physical education instructor.

"I was in shock, that (the cuts) went so deep,” said West Seattle High School principal Bruce Bivins. “My first intentions were ‘how do I get them back?’ I did not want to lose these teachers that have developed curriculum in their department and are integral to our school.”

Madison Middle School's staff lost a counselor, two social studies instructors and one instructor who taught history and language arts.

Three instructors from Chief Sealth High School were cut, including language arts and physical education teachers.

An upper-level classroom teacher from Schmitz Park Elementary and a counselor from West Seattle Elementary were also cut.

Cooper Elementary School staff, which will be redistributed to other local schools next year, also lost two classroom instructors.

The Seattle Public School District announced last Friday that 172 teachers and staff members, or 5 percent of the district's total certificated workforce, will be laid off in response to significant cuts in state funding.

Superintendent Maria Goodloe-Johnson explained that the cuts were made in response to an estimated $34 million budget shortfall for the upcoming school year.

The school district explained that teachers have been laid off based on district seniority within their department.

“This is a very painful decision to have to make,” Goodloe-Johnson said, “We worked for many months to keep budget cuts away from the classroom. It is extremely difficult to lay off teachers and school-based staff, people who make a difference in students’ lives every day.”

Cut staff members have been informed directly. Seattle Public Schools is planning a series of counseling and resource supports for staff who receive layoff notices.

The district has already implemented a number of budget-cutting strategies, including a reduction in central office staff, hiring freezes, increased efficiencies in operations such as transportation and nutrition services, closing schools, a responsible use of reserves, and freezing cost-of-living-adjustments.

Goodloe-Johnson added that she was optimistic that retirements and resignations would allow the district to recall a number of the individuals who are being laid off.

“We deeply regret that we must implement a reduction in force,” said Goodloe-Johnson said. “My staff and I have worked hard to keep cuts as far away from the classroom as possible, and we will continue to develop strategies to support our students, classrooms and schools.”

Across the state, at least 2,300 public school teachers have received layoff notices, according to the Washington Education Association.