CD approves teacher cuts, pink slips sent to wrong employees - abc27 WHTM

CD approves teacher cuts, pink slips sent to wrong employees

The Central Dauphin School Board unanimously approved its proposed $156 million budget during Monday night's meeting.

The plan includes cutting more than 80 staffers, most of which are teachers.

Parents and teachers spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting, concerned the teacher cuts would increase class size and hurt education.

"Anxiety levels are at an all-time high," said Georgia Smee, co-president of the Central Dauphin Education Association.

Pink slips did go out to inform some staffers that their positions had been eliminated. However, school officials said some of those notices were sent to the wrong employees.

"I would like to apologize for any teachers that received a letter inadvertently or teachers who did not and are receiving one later," Superintendent Dr. Carol Johnson said.

School officials said the mix-up was corrected during the meeting.

Still, some teachers and staff will not know their fate for a while. They could be bumped by teachers with more seniority.

The budget also includes a 3.3 percent tax increase. School officials said it will raise an average homeowner's taxes about $50 a year.

Programs are on the chopping block, too. The board may cut consumer science and foreign language at the middle school level and eliminate art, physical education, and music for kindergarten.

A final vote will be held June 25.