The economic downturn continues to rear its ugly head in the Marshalltown Community School District.
Lisa Koester, director of human resources with the district, told the Board of Education Monday of plans to cut 4.5 teacher positions currently being held in order to trim costs.
"This is not something that our district is looking forward to," Koester said.
She noted the two key determining factors on which teachers will be let go will be based on seniority and program area. The teachers who are being cut will be notified by April 30.
The job cuts are expected to continue in the next couple of months in other areas of district staff such as paraeducators, tutors, other classified staff and possibly administrators, Koester noted.
Karen Roessler, president of the Marshalltown Education Association and a teacher at Lenihan Intermediate School, addressed the board and asked that decisions on future reductions be carefully examined.
"We know there are many difficult conversations to be held," she said.
Board President Pam Swarts held back tears when the job cut announcement was made as she said she had a personal experience with her teaching job cut in Newton several years ago.
"I personally know the difficulty and the pain," she said.
Those who had their position eliminated in the district will have recall rights for up to two years if a similar position in the district would come open or if the financial situation improves.
Superintendent Dr. Marvin Wade noted this is just the next occurrence in a "difficult year" for the district.
The next regular board meeting will be May 4 at 5 p.m.
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Contact Andrew Potter at 641-753-6611 or apotter@timesrepublican.com