28 Positions to be Eliminated in Lawrence Schools' 2013-14 Budget

The Lawrence School District will cut about 10 teacher positions and 18 other positions to help make up an expected $3.2 million shortfall in its 2013-14 budget, according to the superintendent.

“These cuts are the ones with the least amount of impact,” Superintendent Gary Schall said Monday.

The Board of Education approved the proposed $93,050,000 budget on Monday. The public will get to vote on it on May 21.

In all, the shortfall is part of a $6.75 deficit stemming from about $2 million of increased retirement costs, $700,000 increase in payroll and $600,000 in contracts and other funding decreases. Taxpayers will be asked on May 21 whether they’re willing to chip in another $2.5 million with a 2 percent increase in the tax levy and an additional $880,000 for the teacher retirement system. A state aid increase to $1.05 million will also help fill the gap.

The teacher positions to be eliminated are one teacher each at the kindergarten and elementary level, a middle school math teacher, three special education teachers, three teachers total from physical education, art and music and the equivalents of a 0.8 teacher of world language and 0.4 of ESL.

Additionally, three social workers, a psychologist, the fifth grade guidance counselor, five secretaries and eight facilities staff members will be out of jobs. With secretaries, seven are retiring this year — only two will be replaced.

"We do not support the district’s decision to eliminate programs and fire staff as a part of the board of education’s proposed budget," said Lori Skonberg, president of the Lawrence Teachers' Association. "Years ago, along with many other districts, Lawrence implemented a FLES program, or Foreign Language in the Elementary Schools. Eventually, the program was eliminated. Now, the most recent budget calls for the elimination of foreign language in the fifth and sixth grades. When will it end?"

She added, "Also, we cannot fathom how the district can plan to cut a psychologist, a guidance counselor, and three social workers when the ones we have already are so busy servicing our needy student body."

Schall said that if there are any unanticipated retirements or revenue, he would request the board use the money to restore services.

The budget will include funds to be used as stipends for teachers to serve as deans and to appoint a transportation dispatcher for the “most intricate transportation system in the state,” Schall said.

Meanwhile, the budget includes funds for increased security, and a $250,000 technology budget that will be carried over from previous years. Schall stressed that AP courses, electives, athletics and extracurricular activities will be maintained.

A town hall meeting on the budget will be held on May 1.