As Wisconsin Slashes Budget, 354 Teachers Laid Off

Cuts to Wisconsin's state budget are resulting in layoffs of 519 staff members in Milwaukee Public Schools, including 354 teachers, reports CNN. "The layoffs are effective Friday, the beginning of the third quarter, when cash-strapped state and local governments are forecast to shed up to 110,000 jobs, according to IHS Global Insight." The cuts will likely expand the class sizes and ensure the use of old textbooks for students, said Superintendent Gregory Thornton. The move follows the signing of a two-year state budget by Gov. Scott Walker on Sunday that cut spending to schools, resulting in $200 less per child. Milwaukee Public Schools has approximately 82,000 students and slashed $182 million in budget cuts, according to its communications director. CNN reports that budget cutting in Wisconsin is likely to be echoed across the country. "Though tax revenue is starting to rise, states continue wrestling with multibillion-dollar budget gaps. Federal stimulus funds helped minimize job cuts until now, but that money essentially runs out on June 30. Property tax assessments have plunged in many areas."