Teacher layoffs would hit local schools hard

AmPark Neighborhood School, PS 344 could lose 27 percent of its workforce if Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s budget passes and the “last in, first out” law doesn’t change, according to a summary released by the Department of Education on Sunday.

The list shows most area schools could lose 3 to 12 percent of teachers. But that outcome is contingent on whether Mr. Bloomberg’s $1.4 million cut to City education passes and whether the State legislature passes a bill that would lay off teachers based on performance instead of seniority.

While AmPark’s projected losses are the highest in the area (even though the 27 percent only accounts for three teachers) other local institutions might be forced to layoff a significant number of teachers as well. PS 24, Robert J. Christen School, PS 81 and PS 310 could lose 12 percent of teachers — or five to seven personnel each — while PS 7, the Marie Curie School for Medicine, Nursing and Health Professions and PS 360 could all face 11 percent cuts, which means three teachers axed at Marie Curie, five at PS 7 and four at PS 360.

“We’re totally supportive of our staff and we’ll do whatever we can to keep them in the building,” PS 24 parent Cliff Stanton said. “We hope it doesn’t come to this doomsday scenario.”

“It’s unacceptable,” he added. “We’ll have to huddle and come up with a game plan and, you know, we won’t be alone.”

The New School for Leadership and Journalism may see 10 percent — or five — of its teachers cut while 9 percent of the workforce at the Sheila Mencher Van Cortlandt School, MS/PS 95 could get the axe, meaning eight teachers would be laid off.

The Bronx High School of Science may have to let 8 percent of teachers go while IN-Tech Academy, MS/HS 368 and PS/MS 37 could be saying goodbye to 7 percent of its instructors. For Bronx Science that means 11 layoffs, while IN-Tech will have to let five teachers go and PS/MS 37 could lose three.