Kanawha County Schools Dropping 90 Positions

Kanawha County’s school system is planning to have about 90 fewer positions next fiscal year because of a shrinking budget.

Kanawha County Schools’ human resources specialist Kim Olsen tells The Charleston Gazette-Mail there are 52 teacher position cuts planned for next school year, but the cuts have led to only four teachers altogether losing guaranteed jobs next school year.

Human resources specialist Tabetha Gillespie says about 20 “service” employees, including custodians and classroom aides, are also losing guaranteed jobs.

Superintendent Ron Duerring says much of the $2.3 proposed million budget decrease is due to a 590-student drop from last school year. The school board could still change the budget, based upon what the West Virginia Legislature and governor approve for the 2016-17 state budget.

West Virginia school systems often can cut many positions without laying off current employees because of numerous annual retirements.