Small Town News

Layoffs likely at Cape; closing day care, cuts lead to downsizing

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Cape Henlopen district officials say it looks like anticipated layoffs will become a reality, but they aren't sure yet how many positions will be cut.

District human resources director Tim Buckmaster said some teachers who received no-tices in May that their jobs were at risk won't be coming back He said the district will try to bring back teachers if possible, but at this point in the year, he doesn't know how many can return.

Cape is also looking at laying off paraprofessionals, officials say they do not yet know how many. Buckmaster said with the closure of the Little Vikings daycare, at least 13 paraprofessionals will be laid off. But, he said, that doesn't necessarily mean the 13 staff members at the daycare will lose their jobs. The layoffs will apply to those who have the least seniority and could come from other areas, he said.

District business director Oliver Gumbs said the district was losing funding for 19 positions that the state had funded through federal stabilization money in the economic stimulus package. He said back in May the district determined the best places to make cuts and notified 13 staff members they might lose their employment. That money, about $1 million for Cape, was only coming in for two years, and now it's run out, said Gumbs.

Now, the district could be at risk of losing more state-funded positions. Gumbs said an error in a state software program shows the district has 300 fewer students than it actually has. "That is not accurate," said

Gumbs. He said building principals are updating their enrollment numbers to help the district office project how many teachers th; state will help fund for the upcoming school year.

Gumbs said he will know more about how many positions the district will have to cut at the Thursday, July 22 board meeting at which he will have updated enrollment numbers.

Gumbs said the district hasn't renewed te nporary contracts or hired replacements for retiring staff.

While that may prevent more layoffs, it means there will be fewer staff members, he said.





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