40 teachers to lose jobs in Connellsville School District

CONNELLSVILLE, Pa. — Forty teachers in the Connellsville Area School District are being laid off because of a major budget deficit.

The school board passed the motion to lay off the teachers at a meeting Wednesday night and school officials are citing the district’s declining enrollment as a major factor.

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The school district's superintendent told Channel 11's Cara Sapida that there are 4,200 students currently enrolled in the district, compared to more than 5,500 just a decade ago.

The district let go of three teachers last year because of budget cuts. The superintendent said the most recent round of layoffs will be based on seniority.

“It’s Western Pennsylvania, by and large, declining (with population) as long as I can remember,” the superintendent said. “Declining enrollment is just the byproduct of that.”

Teachers in the district will be notified soon if they are getting laid off because the end of the current school year is almost here.

At least one parent said the teacher cuts will lead to larger class sizes, which could have a detrimental effect on education.

“It’ll make a big difference in their educational needs for sure,” said parent Toni Colland.

District officials hope the layoffs will help plug a $4.8 million deficit.

WPXI