PORT ANGELES — There will be no job layoffs at the Port Angeles School District this year, Superintendent Jane Pryne announced Thursday.
On Wednesday, the district finalized the district’s list of employee resignations, and an early estimate for the 2012-2013 school year enrollment was completed.
The two numbers were a wash, Pryne said.
The loss of teachers and para-educators who are retiring or resigning this year roughly matches the changes expected in enrollment next year, she said.
In April, the School Board gave Pryne the authority if needed to give notice to as many as 47 teachers and staff members.
At the time, Pryne said she believed she wouldn’t have to use that authority.
Where the teachers will be next year depends on the students.
“The staffing is driven by enrollment,” Pryne said.
Pryne said she expects that most of the eliminated positions will be at the elementary schools.
Enrollment
The district’s elementary school enrollment dropped by more than 90 students last year, and reports from the district indicate that the pattern of students moving out of the school district is expected to continue.
On Monday, the Port Angeles School Board said that if the district loses another 100 elementary school students, the process will begin to close 58-year-old Franklin School, the oldest school in the district.
Hamilton and Jefferson elementary schools have had the greatest enrollment losses, while Roosevelt also has lost students, Pryne said.
Only Dry Creek and Franklin enrollments are relatively stable, she said.
Enrollment is stable at Stevens Middle School and Port Angeles High School.
The district will determine which schools and what grades will lose positions in June after enrollment numbers come in, Pryne said.
There may be some adjustments over the summer, as new students register for classes or transfer requests are received, she said.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
