Robbinsdale Area Schools Announces 200 Layoffs Amid $21M Deficit
The Robbinsdale Area School District has announced plans to lay off more than 200 of its employees as it struggles with a $21 million budget deficit.
The deficit was partly caused by an accounting mistake discovered by district administrators in November of last year.
After months of grappling with potential cuts, Superintendent Teri Staloch announced plans to lay off more than 200 employees in a message to district families on Friday.
“In an effort to address the budget shortfall, reduction decisions are being made and these decisions are difficult,” she wrote. “They are also necessary steps to ensure long-term sustainability while remaining focused on what matters most: serving students and supporting learning.”
Staffing Cuts
The layoffs will impact 182 of the district’s certified staff members.
Staloch noted that some staffing changes reflect regular staffing changes due to enrollment, licensure and program shifts.
However, the district expects to cut between $13-15 million in school-based staffing.
Along with teachers, three assistant principals and about 18 central office employees are also being laid off.
“Several factors have contributed to this moment, including continued enrollment declines and reductions that were not realized in last year’s budget,” Staloch wrote. “As a result, school leaders received fewer staff allocations in order to align with our financial reality. These changes do not reflect the value or dedication of our staff. They reflect the responsibility we hold to ensure that limited resources are allocated in ways that protect student learning and classroom support, while helping our district remain sustainable into the future. I know this news brings sadness, uncertainty and concern. We are committed to open communication and will share additional details about the positions impacted by budget reductions in the coming weeks.”
Staloch’s full statement is available here.
The Robbinsdale Area School District has announced plans to lay off more than 200 of its employees as it struggles with a $21 million budget deficit.
Other Cuts
Previously, administrators considered cutting the district’s IB program. That plan was eventually scrapped.
“I have concerns that we are able to have the time, the planning and the ability to implement well a plan B for IB in terms of rigor and opportunities for our students,” Staloch told the school board in early March. “So at this point, I’m not recommending that. I am pulling that from our recommendations.”
During the same meeting, Staloch maintained a recommendation to cut the district’s fourth grade orchestra programing.
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