By Ashleigh Costello
EAGnews.org

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh School Board voted to furlough 280 school employees at its legislative meeting Wednesday in an attempt to lessen the district’s growing deficit.

Among those laid off, nearly 190 were teachers represented by the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, reports the Dormant-Brookline Patch. And most of those teachers were probably young, enthusiastic educators who were left out to dry by a union that cares more about seniority than quality education.

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Several months ago, the school board begged the Pittsburgh Federation of Teacher to waive the contractual “last in, first out” rule, so that the district would have the power to keep the best teachers when layoffs become necessary, not necessarily the oldest teachers.

Board members pointed to a special turnaround elementary school that was carefully staffed with some of the best young teachers in the district. Most of them were put in harm’s way by the “last in, first out” policy.

The union told the school board and the affected students to drop dead.

“It is unfortunate that at this time we are obligated by our agreement with the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers to manage our furloughs based on seniority and not performance,” said Superintendent Linda Lane.

“We are disappointed that the PFT was unwilling to improve this process at this time. While we know a number of our most senior teachers are truly some of our most effective, we will mourn the loss of any effective teachers. (Wednesday’s) vote does not signal an end to my commitment to find a future solution that puts kids first.”

The school district has taken several steps to minimize the number of teacher furloughs over the last year.

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In December 2011, the district announced a new Voluntary Employee Severance Plan, available to all full time teachers who are earning a minimum base salary of $80,000 and are not currently eligible for full- or reduced-retirement benefits under the Pennsylvania Public Employees’ Retirement System, said district spokesperson Ebony Pugh.

The district also offered a $500 stipend to eligible retirees who provided early notice of their retirement.

Pittsburgh schools are faced with a projected deficit of $100 million by 2015.  The district hopes the workforce reductions, along with school closings and other changes, will save an estimated $42.2 million.

School Board member Theresa Colaizzi admitted she is “sad to do this” but added, “we don’t have a choice.”