Muncie Community Schools to cut 37 teaching positions

MUNCIE — By the end of June, Muncie Community Schools is planning to get rid of 37 teaching positions to keep pace with its generally declining enrollment and ongoing financial problems.

The process is known as a reduction-in-force. Before officially laying off anyone, the district will wait to see how many teachers resign or retire. If not enough leave, the district will begin layoffs.

Some teachers already received a letter saying they could be laid off at the end of June. Superintendent Steven Baule said 16 letters were sent out this week. More could be sent, if necessary, to get to 37.

Baule said the goal is not to lay off anyone. But even with no layoffs, teachers could be moved to different classes or buildings to fill openings left by resignations or retirements.

The teachers who could be part of the RIF were chosen using the district's policy, which was created last year. It says MCS must look at the teacher's evaluation, any extra degrees or additional credit hours and their date of hire.

To save even more money, Baule is also looking at eliminating certified interventionists. Currently, the district has 15 certified teachers working exclusively with small groups of "at-risk" children, who classroom teachers identified as needing individualized help to learn.

Baule said they would be replaced with instructional aides, who don't have a teaching certification. That would save MCS $1.2 million, he said.