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Teacher Layoffs, Larger Class Sizes

DETROIT (WWJ) - It's a woe faced by nearly every metro Detroit school district, budget deficits that reach the millions.

WWJ's Rob Sanford reports many districts are facing teacher layoffs and larger class sizes.

Northville Public Schools have to find a way to balance the budget in light of a projected deficit of $7 million. The board is looking at laying off more than 50 teachers and increasing class sizes up to 37 students. A discussion forum is planned for 7 pm Wednesday at Hillside Middle School.

Northville is far from being alone. Earlier this week, the Trenton Board of Education approved laying off nearly 60 teachers because of budget concerns.

To add to that, on Tuesday the Monroe Public Schools Board of Education decided to send layoff notices to all of its 343 teachers and 21 administrators as it faces a possible deficit and anticipated funding cuts. However, the layoff notices don't reflect an actual number layoffs or they will even take place.

Meanwhile, in West Bloomfield teachers were imposed to take a 10 percent pay cut to make up for a $1.7 million deficit.

Additionally, Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, the state's third largest school district, is considering up to $19 million in budget cuts, including teacher layoffs, closing a school and eliminating some bus routes.

School Officials blame a reduction in state funding for most of their budget problems.

Part of Governor Rick Snyder's new budget for the state calls for a reduction of $300 per pupil in kindergarten through high school, in addition to $170 in cuts already scheduled to take effect from former Gov. Jennifer Granholm's last budget. That makes for a total of $470 in per-pupil state aid cuts.

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