Jefferson Davis Schools to Let Go of 16 Teachers

By Associated Press

PRENTISS – Sixteen teachers in the Jefferson Davis County school system will lose their jobs at the end of the school year as the district tries to save money.

Supt. Wayne Fortenberry said at Tuesday night’s school board meeting that the teachers, who were let go based on seniority, are part of a reduction-in-force plan designed by state financial adviser Diane Day.

Those employees will continue to teach for the remainder of the school year, he said.

Day was sent by the state Department of Education after State Auditor Phil Bryant’s office found a deficit in the school system’s budget last fall. At its worst, the district’s deficit was projected to be between $1.4 million and $1.9 million, but Day said Tuesday the figure has shrunk to about $742,000.

A final report from Bryant’s office hasn’t been released yet.

“We’ve sent the findings of the audit to them, which is standard,” Bryant said. “We have given them until April 30 to respond to the findings. That’s normal, so that they might be able to disagree or agree or provide additional information. “

Board president Jesse Holloway said the district has about 170 teachers and about 2,000 students. The board voted to accept the resignations of eight additional employees, many of whom are teachers, at the end of the school year.

Day had told the board that eliminating 14 to 20 first-year teachers would save the district from $600,000 to $850,000.

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