Uncertain Future For More Broward Teachers

FT. LAUDERDALE (CBS4)—Students at Broward County Public Schools might find the hallways a bit emptier come next school year.

Over 1,400 teachers were devastated to find that they had lost their jobs at the end of this school year. Along with them, another 757 have been surplused meaning that they can keep their jobs but will face relocation  to a school with vacancies and may even be teaching a different subject.

But closing the $171 million dollar budget gap is making these already harsh conditions even more difficult. Only 640 of these surplused teachers have been guaranteed a job, with the remaining 117 left in limbo.

Of these 117 teachers, the biggest cuts are coming from family counselors, P.E. teachers, music teachers, media specialists and social workers.

Aside from this reshuffling game of musical chairs, teachers, as well as school administrators and staff, may have to take up to two weeks off of unpaid time.

These losses and reassignments aren't only a worrying indicator of the troubles that the Broward School District is facing they're also raising concern among students, parents and teachers.

"If you're going to have fewer teachers, you will be in worse shape," lamented one parent earlier this month.

With special programs like music and band taking major blows, one can be left to wonder what kind of quality students will find in these programs next year.

"You don't take a head coach and replace him, you need stability in a band program," protested Marcos Rodriguez the band director at Everglades High School until he was pink-slipped along with so many others.

But it may not all be bad news. The school district reports that they do have over 150 vacancies in math, science and special education and assure that they are working with principles to renew as many annual contract teachers as possible.