Teacher Layoffs in Levittown Cause Emotions to Run High

Hundreds pack into the auditorium at Levittown Memorial Education Center Wednesday evening for the district’s monthly board of education meeting – this was no usual meeting, however, since it is the first general assembly since 108 Levittown employees received layoff notices.

Board of education officials say that the layoffs are necessary in order to close the widening budget gap. The approved budget calls for the trimming of about $12 million.

Though 108 employees received the notices, the number that will actually be excessed will be around 66. The final figures won't be determined until there is a definitive enrollment number in August, according to Board of Education President Michael Pappas.

Assistant Superintendent in the Department of Administration and Personnel Darlene Rhatigan previously told Patch that the 108 letters sent out do not just include classroom teachers, but rather represent some CSI teachers, hourly employees and other staff who are hired on a yearly basis.

Board trustee Ed Powers explained that if cuts aren’t made this year, Levittown will be facing higher cuts and more dire circumstances due to the “snowball” effect and proposed two-percent tax cap in the coming years.

“This is a very sad day in Levittown,” Pappas said.

Speakers took to the podium – a total of 23 – during the public comment portion, including teachers, residents, parents and even students. Their concerns ranged from quality of programs, education, the effect of the layoffs and specific teachers that have received the notices.

Levittown United Teachers President Therese Rogers was the first to take the stage, passionately explaining that the union has been meeting with the district since March 29 to see if they could reach “some kind of a reasonable agreement.”

Rogers said that the problems the district is currently facing is because of those “managing its finances.” This statement received one of the loudest applause of the evening from the teachers there in solidarity.

“The union wants to save district jobs and programs, however, throughout these discussions, the district, to be frank, has acted in a manner suggesting it does not want to reach an agreement and save teacher jobs,” Rogers said. “... No other district is seeking to plug such a large budgetary hole on the backs of its educators."

Levittown resident Tom Kohlman said that the community did their part by voting yes to the budget on May 17 to protect the local children. Now it was the union’s turn to give some concessions “for the children."

“If you won’t hold this vote, then don’t ever put these signs in our community again ... because they will not mean anything. You won't have done anything for our children or our teachers,” he said in regards to the “vote yes” budget signs that had previously been seen around the community.

"I am on the side of everybody involved, but most importantly, I'm on the side of the ones who count the most: the children," Levittown resident and parent Colleen Napoli said. "Right now, in this concession battle, they will be the biggest losers."