Teacher layoffs expected at Ypsilanti High School

Martin said the layoffs, which call for a loss of 4.5 positions, would be mainly teachers at the high school level. The decision goes before the Board of Education when it meets at 7 p.m. on Monday.

“Its important we adjust financially when we see a significant loss of students,” Martin said. “It’s certainly not ideal to have to lay off anyone, but it’s just an unfortunate reality we find ourselves in Ypsilanti Public Schools.”

The 2010 district student enrollment was

Enrollment fell from 3,782 in 2010 to 3,664 in 2011, a loss of 118 students.

Martin said layoffs caused by decreased enrollment usually occur early in the school year, but he said it will be less disruptive to students after the winter break.

Martin said it’s not uncommon for school districts to adjust staff sizes to correspond with changes in enrollment.

“It would have been disruptive to the kids’ education at the sixth week of the school year,” Martin said. “We are taking every effort to minimize the impact on students as best as possible.”

He said school administrators have talked with the teachers who could be laid off and more information will be available next week.

Monday’s Board of Education meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Ypsilanti High School.

Contact reporter Danny Shaw at 734-623-2544 or dannyshaw@annarbor.com.