Layoffs mean bigger classes

Full-time elementary teachers are likely to keep their jobs in the Omaha Public Schools next fall.

But the number of students in their classrooms will grow — to as many as 30 in some schools. And their students may not get as much extra help from classroom aides and others.

The school board learned Monday that 224 staff positions will be eliminated before fall through layoffs and attrition.

Of those positions, 56 are part-time teaching jobs. Another 44 are full-time teaching posts that will be eliminated through attrition.

The district employs nearly 4,000 teachers.

The remaining cuts are paraprofessionals, administrators and office staff.

Administrators could include principals, assistant principals, central office curriculum specialists and staff focused on student discipline and truancy.

Last week, district officials said they would lay off teachers for the first time in OPS history to make up for $28 million in federal stimulus funding that ends in a year.

Superintendent John Mackiel told board members Monday that he recently learned federal grant support for parent outreach and small class sizes also is ending.

“We're anticipating a shortfall. We're going to plan accordingly,” he said. “This is our best thinking as of today.”

The result: Larger classes, a decade after the district made small class sizes a priority with the return to neighborhood schools.

This year, schools that serve mostly students from low-income families average 14 pupils per class at the early grades and 19 in upper elementary. Next year, classes of 17 and 22, respectively, are likely.

Averages at the district's schools serving students from middle-class families will shift from 22 to 25 pupils at early grades and from 27 to 30 in upper grades.

“We're going to the max according to board policy,” said Janice Garnett, assistant superintendent for human resources.

OPS spokeswoman Luanne Nelson said officials still are calculating how much money the staff cuts will save. No information was released on which schools might be affected.

Some of the eliminated positions will come from middle and high schools. Details on those changes will be explained to the board next week.

More jobs could be cut from food service, transportation and other support areas later this spring.
More cuts also could come the year after next.

Among the 56 eliminated part-time elementary positions will be teachers of music, art and physical education. But students won't get less instruction in those subjects, Garnett said.

The goal is to get many of those educators into full-time posts. Garnett said turning part-time slots into fewer full-time ones saves money. Part-timers often receive the same benefits as full-time teachers. The fewer the teachers, the less the district has to pay in benefits.

Mackiel and several board members said they are hopeful that funding circumstances in the state and federal governments will change, allowing the district to add programs and staff rather than make cuts.

“You can think you're going to lay off people now, but if circumstances change you could end up getting to hire some of them back,” said board member Penny Sophir.

While OPS is the only local district planning to lay off teachers next year, the Douglas County West district plans to eliminate posts through attrition before fall.

Others, including South Sarpy and Ralston, will consider layoffs for the 2011-12 school year.

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