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Battle Creek district recommends eight staff reductions as budgets tighten
Summary
District leaders told the board they recommend reducing eight positions for 2026–27 (five professional, three non‑exempt) because of enrollment declines and funding shortfalls; staff said some affected employees were offered alternate positions while others will be laid off.
District leaders told the Battle Creek Public Schools board that a recommendation to reduce eight positions for the 2026–27 school year is necessary to align staffing with projected revenue.
Dr. Henry presented the recommendation and said the proposed reductions stem from lower enrollment and rising operational costs. He asked the board to approve the reduction of eight positions—five professional and three non‑exempt—to preserve the district’s long‑term financial stability.
Board members pressed for clarification on who would be affected. The district said reductions would focus on employees not actively pursuing teacher certification through the district’s "grow your own" programs. "These individuals are part of the grow your own program," staff said, and reductions generally affect those who are not enrolled in certification pathways. Staff also said some employees were offered other posted openings and those who did not fit or were not interested in alternate roles are subject to layoff.
The district emphasized attrition remains a tool for managing vacancies, but the reductions before the board are formal layoffs (reductions in force) for employees who either did not accept other positions or were not eligible. The board asked HR and management to continue meeting with affected staff and to provide clear timelines and next steps.
What the board decided
The recommendation for reductions was presented for board approval; the motion appears on the agenda and will be processed per regular personnel procedures. Staff said they have been meeting individually with affected employees and exploring options such as special‑education conversions and certification pathways where feasible.
Clarifying details
- Positions recommended for reduction: eight total (five professional, three non‑exempt). - Rationale: projected enrollment decline and funding shortfalls. - Process: staff described reductions as layoffs where needed after offering alternate openings; attrition remains an ongoing strategy for other vacancies.
The board asked staff to return with final paperwork and to ensure affected employees are notified per district and statutory procedures.
