Oswego Cutting Nearly 40 Teachers And Staff

On Monday night, the District 308 Board of Education approved laying off 33 teachers and four administrators at the end of the school year.

The board voted unanimously to eliminate 20 first- and second-year probationary teachers, 13 part-time and temporary teachers, three district administrator, and one school administrator. Teachers could be rehired if enrollment increased, board members said.

Several people voiced their opposition to the layoffs.

"Cuts that result in an increase to class size is a step in the wrong direction for students," Elizabeth Palatine, Co-president of the Oswego Education Association said. "Having larger class sizes results in lower achievement and weakens the ability to meet all student's needs." She said the district had rushed through a "significant and life-altering process."

Superintendent Dr. John Sparlin said the increases in classroom size would not be significant.

District officials cited a looming $7.3 million budget deficit as the reason for the cuts.

"We're simply running out of money to operate the district, that's the bottom line," Board Member Greg O'Neil said. He said the state owes the district $70 million, and he suggested that concerned residents should contact their state legislative representatives. "We don't raise the funds, we just distribute the money we're given, it's not there," O'Neil said.

Board Member Jared Ploger said the problem was beyond the scope of what the district can control.

"I completely understand the frustration, I completely sympathize, but these are not micro problems. These are macro problems," Ploger said. He said it "boggles" his mind that people acknowledge that the state has not passed a budget, but are surprised when this fact impacts their lives.

"Collectively we've ignored our civic duties...It is work to run a democracy. It is work to run a republic," Ploger said.

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