Birmingham Schools Lay Off Teachers After Budget Shortfall: Report

BIRMINGHAM, MI — Birmingham schools are planning to lay off teachers after the district reported a $14 million budget shortfall, according to reports.

"I want to acknowledge the district is dealing with some tough decisions right now," Birmingham Public Schools Superintendent Embekka Roberson said during a Tuesday meeting. "I wish our district was not in this position. But we are here in a time where we have to make some adjustments with staffing based on that declining enrollment."

Birmingham school officials blamed the miscalculated budget on declining enrollment, which they said the district has lost more than 600 students in the last two years and more than 1,000 students over the last decade.

"We do have to make adjustments in our staff due to declining enrollment," Roberson said. "The majority of our budget does include people cost."

Officials said they were informing the affected staff, but did not say how many teachers and other staff were a part of the layoffs.

"Since the district is still actively informing teachers about their future employment status, I do not feel it is appropriate to comment on specific details related to the meetings taking place this week," the Birmingham Education Association sent in a statement.