Potential for teacher layoffs? Central Valley talks plans amid $12 million shortfall

April 24, 2019 6:31 PM

Nikki Torres,

Posted: April 24, 2019 6:31 PM

Updated: May 20, 2021 9:38 AM

by Nikki Torres

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — New developments that parents will want to know about – another school district with shrinking budgets may be cutting jobs. Central Valley is $12 million short for the next school year.

You may remember, Spokane Public Schools made the decision this month to laying off more than 300 employees because of a $31 million deficit.

Tuesday, Central Valley said retiring teachers may not be replaced and provisional teachers may have to be let go. The district said it’s doing everything it can to save jobs. The district said, first and foremost, they’re prioritizing learning.

Central Valley School District is responsible for more than 14,000 students. With $12 million less to work with next school year, they’re trying to come up with a plan that protects students’ education.

“Where can we solve some efficiencies, where can we consolidate some things, where can we create the best experience that we can for our students,” said Marla Nunberg, Central Valley School District.

A change in the way public schools get their money is to blame for the shortfalls. The school district said it’s a path they didn’t choose.

“There’s a lot of factors that have happened over a large number of years that kind of come to fruition here to where the situation, the new reality that we’re in here today,” Nunberg said.

That reality means teachers could lose their jobs. The question is – how many?

“At this time, what we are focused on attrition with our employees and and the non-renewal of some of the provisional of our employees,” Nunberg said.

What that means is, the district has some employees still in the early stage in their contract and those contracts may not be renewed.

“All of the that we have are very important for our students, but we’re just looking at where we can reduce throughout in order to make that $12 million cut,” Nunberg said.

While the district works with the school board to figure out those cuts, they want to reassure familes their children’s education is in good hands.

“What our guiding principle at the forefront and what their student learning is, and what those opportunity engagements are, we’re looking at all of those very seriously and making sure that we are still able to offer to our students, that culture and that experience that we always have here at CVSD,” Nunberg said.

If you’re a Central Valley parent, the district said it wants to hear from you. Meetings are open to the public. The next will be May 13 at the district office.

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