Money is tight for the Jackson Public School District, so 51 teaching positions had to go.
"We usually lay-off more than we think we're going to need because it's easier to recall those teachers, than be able to afford them if we don't have the student population," said Assistant Superintendent Ben Pack.
15 teachers have been recalled so far this year, but only to fill positions of teacher who have retired or left for other reasons over the summer; meaning there will still be 51 fewer teachers at the schools: "All indicators now, is that our student population is holding steady."
Pack is proud to expect the amount of students in the school district to remain the same as last year, just under 7,000; especially when the City's population has been steadily declining.
"As we get into the next few weeks here, we add teachers on a regular basis."
More students means more money, adding some lost teaching positions, and lowering the student to teacher ratio which could hike a little at the beginning of the year.
Jackson County's Average Classroom Size Per Teacher:
Elementary= 19
Middle= 17
High= 17
City's Average:
Elementary= 16
Middle= 14
High= 17
