How are cuts in teaching staff made?
When cutbacks occur in staffing due to funding shortfalls, the term RIF is used. This refers to Reductions-in-Force which are based on contract status, seniority and certification. Contract status simply means teachers in their first two years of teaching are reduced first. Certification is related to making sure there are a certain level of teachers available that are certified to teach the classes and programs that will be offered the next year. For instance, if the music programs were going to be reduced, a music teacher who is not certified to teach other subjects might be more at risk of being cut. The less senior teachers are reduced before a more senior teacher. Exceptions to this may be made because of certification. Reductions are based on the budget, enrollment, the schedule of classes, and rules from the Indiana Department of Education. The number of reductions can be potentially reduced by retirements. Teachers who are eligible for retirement have already received their ear
