MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Paper shortage foreshadowed major layoffs in Kent School District

Mar 15, 2018, 10:19 AM | Updated: 12:40 pm

Kent School District...

In an attempt to take the pressure off of the Kent School District's budget, staff asked for donations of paper products. (KIRO 7)

(KIRO 7)

The Kent School District, which last year asked for paper supplies in order to take pressure off of the budget, says it has to fire 127 of its staff.

“How would you feel if you were told you would be on the cutting block and then be expected to go talk to those 23 children and pretend it’s sunshine and roses?” a teacher asked the school board.

The district says a $7 million deficit was caused by a “miscalculation.”

A Kent resident says she feels like she was sold a bill of goods after approving two levies to fund schools.

“I feel like they fooled me. They were dishonest with me. And I want to know, why did you do this?”

Superintendent Calvin J. Watts previously told KIRO 7 that the shortfall is the result of not correctly calculating student enrollment. He said it is not the result of misusing district funds.

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Paper shortage foreshadowed major layoffs in Kent School District