Belleville high school district cuts 37 teachers, support staff

Belleville high school board voted Monday to cut 37 teachers and aides, with expected savings for the district of about $1.2 million.

The unanimous vote was cast at a special board meeting. Board President Curt Highsmith said cuts also would have to be made from other areas of the budget as the district deals with its own deficit, as well as a $2 million IOU from the state.

Belleville Township High School District 201 district has about 490 employees and 5,000 students at its two high schools. It is the latest in the Metro East to approve layoffs to offset budget shortfalls. Last week, Cahokia’s school board voted to cut 70 teachers, several administrators and support staff.

In all, 15 teachers and 22 aides in Belleville received “honorable dismissals,” as officials called the layoffs Monday. The teachers all have less than three years of service in the district and have yet to achieve tenure.

From: Stl Today