Flint School District Lays Off Almost 80 Employees

The Flint School District laid off 77 employees Wednesday in an attempt to address part of their almost $16 million deficit.

According to MLive, 15 of the layoffs were non-teaching positions and 60 were paraprofessionals. The layoffs were part of the 138 approved by the board of education last month.

The layoffs address a project $9.1 million shortfall in student aid due to shrinking enrollment. Larry Watkins, interim superintendent for the Flint School District, said the district is "working hard" to recruit and reclaim students to the district.

The district has three years to address the $15.6 million deficit. Besides layoffs, plans include the closing of three elementary schools, outsourcing the district-owned Sarvis Center and paying-to-participate in school athletics.