A Seattle school district is being forced to lay off employees amid financial turmoil that was caused by plummeting student enrollments.
Seattle Public Schools announced on Tuesday that some staff members have been notified they may lose their jobs to address a budget deficit.
“This week…we’ve issued some notifications to employees about they’re being considered for ‘RIF’ and displacement so that is happening,” said Dr. Brent Jones, SPS superintendent, at a school board meeting on Tuesday night.
“We’re in that phase right now,” Jones added.
The Board noted that its deficit is at a “tipping point,” noting that its “structural deficit” has grown to $131 million.
They also cited an expiration of their one-time state and federal resources from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) and funding of transportation without riders.
“Go Woke Go Broke” – Bet Seattle public schools never saw that coming! 😎 pic.twitter.com/gcOeQdS4a1
— Texas Border Surfer (@ArmyVet57) March 2, 2023