8 WLCSC teacher contracts not renewed

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Laying off the teachers is a decision the school board said wasn't easy to make, but had to do.
The corporation doesn't have sufficient funds to support the eight teaching positions.
But Superintendent Rocky Killion said he hopes funds become available so it can hire the teachers back.

"If we can capture new dollars somewhere, the state gets the budget done and know what the funding formula is a variety of things could happen," said Killion.

But so far the West Lafayette School Board has only raised around $30,000 to bring back teachers. And the state budget is not done. Killion said he's frustrated the budget is taking so long

"Their length of delay is a cause of concern for school districts and teachers all over the state are being laid off," said Killion.

The teachers being let go for the 2009/2010 school year from Happy Hollow Elementary;

5th grade teacher Yvonne Abrahamson and Art teacher Morgan Asay.

The teachers from Cumberland Elementary;

2nd grade teachers Teresa Hollis, Emily Poole and David Proulx.
Kindergarten teachers Laura Smith and Kassandra Stafford. And Reading/ Recovery teacherMary Gibbs-Westbrook.

One of the teachers, Emily Poole, was recently awarded the Golden Apple for excellence in teaching. Killion said the decision on which teachers to let go was based on seniority. Despite Wednesday night's news, he said the school system hopes there are ways to cut costs and generate revenue to bring them back.

"We've been talking about cutting energy costs, we've been talking about raising money locally through donations, endowments. We've been talking about reconfiguring contracts," said Killion.

Killion said he doesn't know if more teaching cuts will need to be made, but he does know this is a hardship schools all over are facing.

"There's a crackling effect going on throughout the state and those are school districts that are hurting," said Killion.

This may not be the only round of layoffs.
The school corporation is discussing terminating some classified or non-certified positions.
That includes secretaries, tutors and paraprofessionals.
Killion said it's unclear yet if any of those positions will need to be eliminated.