The Jefferson County School Board recently announced sweeping cuts for the school system, which will include substantial layoffs.
The Board plans to cut $12.6 million from the system budget and to eliminate 162 positions. Other staff members will see their contracts shortened.
Superintendent Dr. Craig Pouncey says the system's budget had been running at a deficit of around $10 million a year. By that rate, he says, the county could have been in danger of not making payroll within 3 or 4 years.
The Alabama Education Association plans to challenge the measure in court when staff is laid off. The cuts will go into effect July 1.