Birmingham Schools Look To Cut 46 Teachers Over Budget Issues

BIRMINGHAM, MI — Birmingham District Officials cut nearly 30 teachers and looks to lay off a total of 80 full-time positions by the start of the next school year in the fall, as the district struggles with its budget deficit, according to a letter obtained by Patch from superintendent Embekka Roberson.

The district's goal to lay off approximately 10 percent of its workforce for the 2022-2023 school year will affect a total of 105 full-time-equivalent positions, including 46 teachers/certified staff, 19 paraprofessionals, two building administrators, one Central Leadership Team position, 13 Central Leadership staff and 24 other positions.

"Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, there is simply no way to avoid staff reductions given the
magnitude of our structural budget challenges," Roberson said in a May 27 letter to the community. "These staffing changes are also necessary long-term as we realign our district to meet the current reality of declining enrollment."

Amy Denys-Wagner, president of the Birmingham Education Association told the Oakland Press that some teachers cut by the district have received offers from other districts around metro Detroit.

"Birmingham teachers are high performing, skillfully trained professionals who are going to get snatched up quickly," Denys-Wagner said.

School officials revealed in March the district faced a $14.3 million budget shortfall after they mismanaged funds due to a declining school enrollment. Officials said the district has lost about 1,000 students in the last 10 years, including 600 in the last two years.

Officials said declining birth rates and the decision by many families to take their children out of the district because of the COVID-19 pandemic factored in the declining enrollment.

Officials said the reduced the district's deficit to roughly $3.5 million after tapping into the district's reserved funds.