[VIDEO] Benton Harbor School Board Approves Layoffs

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More than 40 layoffs at Benton Harbor Area Schools have been authorized by the board of education. Trustees on Tuesday voted in favor of Superintendent Dr. Shelly Walker’s recommendation to restructure next year in order to remain in compliance with the district’s consent agreement with the state. School Board President Sharon James opposed the cuts, saying trustees have repeatedly taken similar recommendations, while nothing improves.

“So many people come in all of the time, and they say, ‘This is the plan,’ and then the board votes to support the person or the plan, and the plan doesn’t work,” James said.

Dr. Walker says the layoffs will save the district about $1.4 million. A total of 43 positions are being cut, while the district will create 12 new positions, most of them behavioral specialists. The layoffs include 23 non-union staff, eight paraprofessionals, and 12 teachers.