200 in TUSD told their jobs have been cut

The certified employees have been placed into a "transfer pool" and will have less than a month to secure one of 111 vacant positions within the district.

Those who don't get placed will be laid off.

The competition for a job next school year will be particularly stiff for TUSD's elementary-school teachers. They make up half of those in the transfer pool, but of the 111 vacancies, only 35 are in the primary grades, said Nancy Woll, chief human resources officer.

"It's very sad," Woll said. "We have some wonderful teachers in our transfer pool, and the lack of positions breaks my heart."

The Tucson Unified School District intends to hold a job fair for those in the transfer pool. Principals from schools with vacancies will be present.

A number of those vacant positions are not full-time, Woll said.

The transfer process is a new one, meant to reduce layoffs.

Last year, about 560 pink slips went out, and more than 400 employees had to be recalled.

Woll said it is unlikely that the number of employees in the transfer pool will swell. The numbers are the result of schools cutting 10 percent for next year's budget, and asking sites to cut any more is not feasible.

Luci Messing, president of the Tucson Education Association, was glad to see that the district did not have to notify more employees than necessary, but was uncomfortable with the job outlook for those in the transfer pool.

"We're going to have approximately 100 vacancies for 200 staff," she said. "It's not looking very good to get a job."

TUSD is facing a $20 million deficit next year, but that could increase to $41 million if the 1-cent-per-dollar sales tax increase is rejected by voters in May.

Certified staff are not the only ones taking a hit. A list of about 40 administrators will be presented to the Governing Board Tuesday night for nonrenewal of contract, Woll said. All are from underenrolled schools.

Contact reporter Alexis Huicochea at 573-4175 or ahuicochea@azstarnet.com