Portsmouth To Lay Off 29 Teachers

approved a request Tuesday night to send non-renewal and termination notices to 29 teachers. 

The notices are part of an annual process. State law requires the school department to notify teachers of layoffs before March 1. 

"Not every teacher will be called back," said . "The call backs will happen anytime from April through August." 

According to Krizic, there were several reasons for non-renewal notices and terminations, including uncertainty with federal and state funds, and declining enrollment. 

Among the 29, 18 full-time teachers will receive notice. Three of the 29 teachers will receive termination notices. Under state law, says Krizic, teachers are given termination notices instead of non-renewal if they work 10 years or more. 

The school district is also planning to reorganize the amount of sections for kindergarten, as well as physical education and technology sections at the high school. Krizic says the district is "optimizing resources." 

A proposal to hire an assistant principal for grades 4 and 5 was tabled at Tuesday's school committee meeting. 

To view the complete highlights from the meeting, visit the school district's Web site or view the pdf at right.