About 130 public school teachers in the District could lose their jobs after the city’s school system issued “excess notices” on Friday.
In a statement issued Friday evening, the system said it was eliminating the positions – but not the jobs – of 333 teachers and that about 60 percent of those employees would likely remain with DCPS in some capacity.
“Excessed employees can apply for open positions at other schools where budgets have increased or where programmatic changes require their expertise,” DCPS said.
But that means 40 percent of the affected employees — 133 people — could lose their jobs by August.
Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson said that although the District’s procedures pose challenges for some teachers, the process is necessary for the system.
“It’s never easy to hear that you will not be able to continue in your current position for next school year,” Henderson said. “But the excessing process is essential as it helps us ensure that all of our staff are located where they are needed for the coming school year.”
In an interview with The Washington Examiner, Nathan Saunders, the president of the Washington Teachers’ Union, decried the move.
“This process creates personal turmoil and anxiety among teachers,” Saunders said. “I believe there’s a better way to deal with… the scenario.”
Saunders added that he was optimistic most teachers who want to keep their jobs will be able to because of a number of planned retirements.
The employees who received the notices have until Aug. 15, the system said, to find new placements within DCPS.
After that date, teachers who received “effective” or “highly effective” ratings can accept either a $25,000 buyout or a one-year post at a District school.
Teachers who don’t fall into either ratings category will separate from the system on Aug. 20.
The number of excessed teachers fell from last year, when 384 members of the WTU had their positions eliminated.
As recently as 2009, 427 people received excess notices.
