Rochester district lays off 78 teachers

(AP) - The Rochester school district has sent layoff notices to 78 teachers in one of the largest job cuts of teachers in district history.

The cuts are part of a plan to cut $9.3 million from the district budget. The plan will eliminate 33 secondary level teachers and 45 elementary teachers.

Rochester Education Association President Kit Hawkins says she's devastated. Only a few weeks ago, she was told that only half as many teachers would lose their jobs.

Rochester Superintendent Romain Dallemand says the upcoming year will be difficult. The school board will finalize the cuts when it meets Tuesday.

The district also cut 12 clerical jobs and 16 more clerical staff members had their hours reduced. Fourteen open maintenance jobs were also cut. --- Information from: Post-Bulletin, http://www.postbulletin.com