St. Paul board delays vote on 18-plus teacher cuts

St. Paul Public Schools’ board unanimously postponed a decision on Oct. 20 about proposed midyear cuts to more than 18 full-time-equivalent English-learner teaching positions. The vote did not approve layoffs or eliminate positions; the proposal remained undecided.

The motion called for district leaders to investigate at least one option that could mitigate or avoid midyear cuts. Sahan Journal reported that the motion set a deadline for a vote no later than Oct. 30.

What the Oct. 30 notice says i

The district has scheduled a special meeting for Friday, Oct. 30, at 4 p.m., to consider action regarding “Immigration and Fall Staffing Adjustments.” The notice lists Conference Rooms A and B at the District Administration Building, 360 Colborne. It does not specify whether the English-learner teacher proposal will be considered.

That leaves an important distinction for families and staff: the reported deadline was for a vote by Oct. 30, while the meeting notice names a broad subject for action rather than explicitly listing a vote on these positions.

Enrollment estimates and alternatives i

Sahan Journal reported that the district had 542 fewer English-language learners than projected. MPR News described the shortfall as more than 540 students. Both accounts describe a gap against the district’s projection, not separate enrollment losses.

The funding estimates were also close in scale but described differently: Sahan Journal reported a projected $4.9 million revenue loss, while MPR News reported district leaders’ estimate of nearly $5 million less in state funding. Neither figure was final accounting.

Teachers and community members rallied and spoke against the proposal at the Oct. 20 meeting, according to MPR News and Sahan Journal. Union president Carrie Kyung told MPR News that midyear cuts could take structure and support away from students. MPR News also reported that board members wanted more information and were upset to face layoff decisions.

Sahan Journal reported that board member Yusef Carrillo raised furloughs as a possible alternative, not as an adopted plan. Kyung told the publication she would need to discuss any furlough possibility with union members. In reports published Oct. 21, the final staffing decision, any alternative and the resulting funding effect remained unresolved.