Laid-off Philly teachers get temporary reprieve
A Philadelphia Common Pleas judge Monday afternoon rescinded layoff notices given earlier that day to 1,523 teachers across the School District of Philadelphia.
The order will be effect until a hearing set for 9:30 a.m. June 14 in Common Pleas Court.
The temporary restraining order was issued late Monday after the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers filed a motion arguing the manner of layoffs violated the process established in its contract with the district.
“I don’t want to see anyone laid off,” said PFT President Jerry T. Jordan outside the courtroom. “But if layoffs are necessary, the district is required to follow the process agreed upon in the contract negotiated less than 18 months ago.”
Judge Idee C. Fox’s order applies only to the teachers who received layoff notices Monday. The district also laid off 857 instructional support employees who are PFT members. It was the largest layoff in the school district since 1981.
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