Budget surplus means many laid off teachers will go back to work

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Reynolds School Board decided Thursday evening to use some of their $6.2 surplus in state funding to reinstate many of the 156 teachers who were laid off.

Reynolds School District Superintendent Robert Fisher said making this year's budget was a difficult task and the school district had to lay off teachers, cut programs and increase class sizes.

But because the budget was done conservatively, the school district ended up with the extra $6.2 million.

The $6.2 million was divided up:

• $2 million to fulfill obligations and collective bargaining agreements
• $2 million to reducing class sizes, which means bringing teachers back
• $2.2 million to a contingency fund for saving

"If you were not to reinstate this money I would find that completely unsatisfactory education for my child," said a parent at the meeting. "It just would not be good enough, period, and I would leave the district." 

Fisher said the board's decision to divide the money will take place immediately.

He said many of the 156 teachers who were laid off will get their jobs back and he will not know an exact number until he works with each of the principals from each of the schools.