Levittown Sends Layoff Notices, Negotiations with Teachers' Union Ongoing

After the 2011-12 school budget was passed by voters, 108 Levittown School District teachers received layoff notices this week. 

Superintendent of Schools Herman Sirois said the actual number may end up around 78, but the district is still in negotiations with Levittown United Teachers (LUT) and Association of Levittown School Administrators (ALSA).

"If there were concessions [by LUT or ALSA] that achieve the needed savings, some layoffs could be averted," Board of Education Trustee Ed Powers said.

Teachers are spared from layoffs on a seniority basis. 

If the teachers’ union agrees to more salary freezes, many of these layoffs could be avoided. If not, Levittown is in danger of laying off the highest amount of teachers on Long Island.

"We're still working on it," Assistant Superintendent in the Department of Administration and Personnel Darlene Rhatigan said, explaining that schools are still making course selections, registering schedules and waiting for New York State test scores to determine just how many teachers will be needed.

Rhatigan added that the 108 letters do not all represent classroom teachers, but some represent hourly employees, CSI teachers and other staff who are hired on a yearly basis. She also said some who get layoff letters will most likely still be hired part-time. 

Negotiations are ongoing and Levittown Patch will release the final numbers when a decision is made.