Impending Teacher Layoffs: Understanding the Impact on Schools

Schools all over the country are letting go of teachers and staff as they prepare for the expiration of a pandemic aid package. This package was the biggest one-time federal investment in K-12 education.

The funding from this aid package needs to be spent by September, which is causing a sudden drop in funding for schools. This comes at a time when schools are already dealing with fewer students enrolling and rising inflation.

Many school districts are facing the possibility of layoffs as they wrap up the current school year and start planning for next year's budgets. Unfortunately, the news about potential teacher layoffs is not helping to improve the mood of Americans who are still feeling pessimistic about the economy. This adds to the challenge for President Joe Biden to convince voters that the situation is actually improving compared to four years ago.

For example, in Missoula, Montana, the local public school district is contemplating cutting 33 teaching positions and 13 administrative positions due to a budget shortfall. This includes considering the elimination of key roles such as the special education director and fine arts director.

Superintendent Micah Hill mentioned at a recent school board meeting that MCPS (Missoula County Public Schools) hasn't seen reductions like these in almost a generation.

In addition to the federal funding coming to an end, the district has also experienced a decrease in enrollment by nearly 500 students, which is approximately 5% since 2019. At the same time, there has been an increase in insurance and utility costs, as stated by Hill in a message sent to CNN.

In Arlington, Texas, the school district is reducing 275 positions at the end of the school year. These positions were originally funded by federal pandemic aid and included roles such as after-school care, tutoring, and mental health services. The district, which has a total of around 8,500 staff members, has stated that employees affected by the layoffs can apply for other open positions.

In Hartford, Connecticut, 30 teachers and 79 other staff members have been informed that their jobs are being eliminated. A total of 384 positions will be cut, although some were already vacant and others will not be filled after a staff member retires or leaves.

Enrollment at Hartford Public Schools has decreased by 21% since 2010. This decline is attributed to a decrease in the school-age population and a policy that permits Hartford residents to attend schools in nearby districts.

Superintendent Leslie Torres-Rodriguez mentioned in a statement to CNN that this is a long-standing issue that has been worsened by the ESSER cliff. ESSER, which stands for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, is a grant program that distributed federal funds for pandemic-related relief.

Pandemic aid comes to an end

After the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020, Congress authorized three rounds of federal funding to help K-12 schools respond.

Lawmakers approved $190 billion in funding for K-12 schools between March 2020 and March 2021, a significant increase compared to a typical year from the federal government.

Initially, school districts utilized the funding to facilitate the reopening of school buildings through the purchase of masks, cleaning supplies, and improvements to HVAC systems. The latest and largest funding allocation in 2021 mandated that districts allocate at least 20% of the funds to combat learning loss. This could involve implementing tutoring programs, offering summer school, or extending school days.

Districts had over three years to utilize the third round of funding, with minimal constraints. Local school boards were primarily responsible for determining how to allocate the funds towards various pandemic-related necessities. They had the option to hire additional teachers and staff, despite knowing that the funding would eventually run out.

While districts must disclose their expenditure of the funds, the reports frequently lack specific information, making it challenging to monitor the number of teachers hired using the federal funding.

A recent study by CALDER, an education research center, focused on Washington state and discovered that around 12,000 jobs were generated with the help of federal funding. Among these positions, over 5,000 were for classroom teachers. Dan Goldhaber, one of the report's authors, emphasized that these individuals would not have been employed if it weren't for the additional funding.

Districts that created new positions now need to decide how – and if – to fund them going forward.

How many teachers are at risk?

It may seem odd to worry about teachers losing their jobs when many schools are having trouble finding teachers, especially in subjects like math, science, and special education, as well as in rural areas.

This is partly because some schools, with extra money from the pandemic, have been hiring more teachers even though the number of students attending public schools has been dropping across the country.

It's difficult to determine the exact number of educator jobs that are in danger nationwide. However, if staffing levels were to return to pre-pandemic levels in 2018-19, around 384,000 full-time staff would potentially face layoffs, as reported by education analyst Chad Aldeman.

So, who would be most affected by these potential job cuts?

States are required by the federal pandemic aid law to distribute the money based on the same principles as Title I funding. This means that districts with higher numbers of low-income families will receive more funding, especially those currently experiencing significant budget deficits.

Heather Peske, the president of the National Council on Teacher Quality, stated that students in higher-poverty districts and students of color will likely bear the brunt of any staff layoffs.

When districts need to lay off staff, they often let go of the most recently hired employees. Peske suggests that districts should consider the performance of teachers when making decisions about layoffs.

According to Peske, relying solely on seniority as a criteria for layoffs could result in highly effective teachers being let go, which would ultimately put students at a significant disadvantage.

She also recommends protecting those staff members who are in high demand, like math and special education teachers.

Editor's P/S:

The mass layoffs of teachers and staff due to the expiration of pandemic aid funding is a serious concern that raises questions about the long-term stability of our education system. While the influx of federal funds allowed schools to hire additional staff and provide critical support during the pandemic, the sudden drop in funding leaves districts facing difficult choices. The potential loss of thousands of educators, particularly in high-need areas such as special education and math, is alarming.

It is essential that school districts prioritize the retention of effective teachers and staff who are essential to student success. Seniority-based layoffs may not always be the best approach, as they could result in the loss of highly qualified educators. Districts should consider performance and the specific needs of their students when making decisions about layoffs. Additionally, protecting in-demand staff, such as special education and math teachers, is crucial to ensure that students have access to the support they need.