Springfield School Board Votes To Eliminate 14 Positions

In Vermont, members of the Springfield School Board voted unanimously Monday night to eliminate 14 staff positions from the district. The reduction in staff comes in spite of voters approving a $29-million dollar budget proposal earlier this year, and instead represents a trend of declining enrollment in recent years.

Of the 14 positions voted on Monday night, six are full-time employees, and eight will come as a result of retirements and resignations. Springfield Superintendent Zachary McLaughlin has said the district has cut nearly 40 jobs in recent years, including some 25 over the past two.

Of the teachers whose jobs were cut, district officials have said they expect some will be hired for other open positions within the district. Springfield’s Director of Fiscal Services Steve Hier said the reduction of teachers, as well as other reductions made to the budget, will save taxpayers six cents on their residential rate.