School layoffs planned

State budget cuts that came out of the special legislative session are forcing the Clark County School District to lay off 140 support personnel, district officials said Tuesday.

In a memo, Superintendent Walt Rulffes said he is "saddened" but "there is a good chance many of these employees can be absorbed into existing vacancies throughout the district."

Rulffes said there are 120 openings available: 60 vacancies in student support services, 20 bus driver vacancies and 40 other vacancies in the district at large. He also anticipates additional aides will be needed for new kindergarten programs. Hiring for vacancies will be done by seniority.

The district's need to cut positions came about when the Legislature eliminated grants and specially designated funding sources totaling about $18 million. The layoffs of support personnel should save the district about $6 million, school officials said. Some of the jobs were part-time.

The district also must prepare for 14 percent reductions in state funding, representing a loss of $130 million, for the 2009-2010 school year.

Rulffes anticipated local funding would be down this year because of the weak economy.

"We're taking it day by day," he said. "But we still don't know what all the repercussions will be."

Contact reporter James Haug at jhaug @reviewjournal.com or 702-799-2922.