Batavia teachers get layoff notices

The Batavia school board laid off 65 full- time probationary and part-time teachers Tuesday.

By state law, the notice had to be given at least 45 days before the end of the school year, depending on the teachers’ length of service with the district.

Superintendent Jack Barshinger cited “two big reasons” for the number given notice.

First, the district did not ask for salary concessions from teachers this year. Last year, the district and the Batavia Education Association struck an agreement to reduce salary increases, and let the district use money set aside for some health programs for other purposes, in exchange for a promise not to lay off more than 11 teachers. The deal was valued at about $2.3 million. Without that pact, the district had estimated it would have laid off about 60 people.

Secondly, Barshinger cited “an uncertain economy” and doubt about how much state money District 101 will receive. The state has already announced school districts will get less money from the state for busing, and school officials fear further cuts might be coming.

Barshinger also mentioned decreasing enrollment in the elementary schools, mirroring a declining birthrate in Kane County. “We’re still waiting to see kindergarten enrollment,” he said. Early kindergarten registration for the 2011-12 school year is running about 16 percent behind last year’s numbers.

The list did not specify which teachers and other certified personnel are full-time and which are part-time. But a check of board records from last year indicates at least 10 are part-timers.

Districts are allowed to lay off teachers within their first four years of employment without reason. Some teachers are rehired later in the spring and summer once the district gets a better idea of enrollment for the next term, and to replace staff members have resigned or taken leaves of absence.

In 2010, the district gave notice to eight certified workers. In 2009, the district gave notice to 32.