Parents Decry Teacher Cutbacks: Ballston Spa District Cites Declining Enrollment, Costs

By Scott Waldman, Albany Times Union, N.Y.

Jun. 1–Editors note: An earlier version of this story appeared on timesunion.com Wednesday night.

BALLSTON SPA — The possibility the Ballston Spa school district may cut five or six teaching positions at the beginning of the next school year is getting a sour reception from some residents.

Declining enrollment and finding ways to cut expenses are reasons to consider the cutbacks, district spokesman Stuart J. Williams said at Wednesday night’s Board of Education meeting.

Humanities teachers could be affected, because fewer students are taking those courses. A librarian position may be eliminated as well. Some teachers may be reduced to part-time employment; others face losing their jobs, Williams said.

A final decision, based on enrollment numbers, is likely in August, he said.

Many of the 50 parents and students attending the school board meeting said they were displeased the possibility of layoffs had not been publicly discussed before voters approved the 2007-08 budget last month.

“It’s almost like they tried to slip it by,” resident Ed Williford said.

Marie Rossi, a district librarian for almost 20 years, said she was told her job would be part-time. She said trimming the humanities staff would hurt students.

Rossi also said the district’s art teachers had been essential to the education of her own daughter, who is attending college on a fine-arts scholarship that pays about three-quarters of her costs.

“The school is going backwards as far as caring about children in this district,” Rossi said.

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