Layoffs planned in Philly, Reading public schools

    It’s that time of year again.

    With schools wrapping up for the summer and budgets waiting to be passed, districts are warning of layoffs.
    In Reading, the Associated Press reports 110 teachers will be laid off and 60 other teaching jobs will be lost through attrition. The district has a $40 million shortfall – hefty, but still less than the amount the School District of Philadelphia wants from the city.

    The district wants $94 million in city funding and intends to borrow to cover a $218 million shortfall. Our partners at the Notebook report 270 layoff notices will go out this week to counselors, classroom assistants, vocational teachers and others. According to the district, those cuts stem from school-based budget decisions.

    Students might be looking forward to the summer break, but teachers likely aren’t.

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