Big Lay-offs Planned For New Bedford Public Schools

On Tuesday, New Bedford school officials announced that over 250 positions will be eliminated; half of which are teachers. The resulting layoff will chop the district work force by almost 14 percent.

The cuts follow the loss of $11.4 million dollars in grants and funding for salaries that will be reduced by up to 5 percent.

According to Mayor Jon Mitchell in a school budget hearing on Tuesday, "the staff reductions that we are about to announce today are very necessary and they are as necessary as they are large and painful."

Most impacted by the pending reductions will be New Bedford High School where Principal Andrew Kulak has said 52 positions will be eliminated. Keith and Normandin middle schools are expected to make close to 16 position cuts each along with other area schools facing similar layoffs.

The district is expected to make final decisions about layoffs and notify those affected in the coming weeks.