Kettering schools to eliminate 13 teaching positions

KETTERING, Ohio (WDTN) - The Kettering City School District has announced it will cut approximately 13 teaching positions throughout its district by the end of this school year.

According to Superintendent James Schoenlein, this decision comes as a result of cuts in the state budget.  The district is forced to curb approximately $8.5 million in its funding. 

School officials believe approximately $2 million will be saved through the elimination of 13 teaching positions.

"The positions in some of our schools will be cut, but the teachers will not," said Schoenlein.  "The teachers will be placed in another school within our district."

According to Schoenlein, the board is relying on a certain amount of teachers to retire and/or resign.  The Superintendent says approximately 20-25 teachers retire each year.

Kettering Middle School will have the most teaching positions cut out of all the schools within the district.

"Eight positions will be cut from Kettering Middle," said Schoenlein.  "The reason for this is because right now the school has a lower than average teacher-student ratio than the rest of the schools in the district.  Right now, Kettering Middle has 23.5 kids per classroom.  The district average is 28.5 kids per classroom."

One or two positions will also be cut from Van Buren Middle School, Kettering-Fairmont High School and all elementary schools within the district.

Cuts will also be made in technology, textbooks and utility funds.

According to Schoenlein, Kettering City school teachers signed a contract agreeing to a 3-year salary freeze this past year.  The freeze is expected to save the district approximately $6 million.
 

There will also be a 4.9 mill renewal levy on the March ballot.  The district hopes the passing of this levy will also help with funding.