Survey: 80% Of NJ Schools May Have Fewer Teachers
TRENTON, N.J. (WCBS 880/AP) -- Students in New Jersey might find fewer teachers and larger classes when they return to school in a few weeks.
A New Jersey School Boards Association survey released Monday found 80 percent of school districts earlier this summer said they would have fewer teachers.
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Almost half said they lost up to 5 percent of last year's staffing levels.
Most of the districts blamed state aid cuts for teaching staff reductions.
School Boards Association spokesman Frank Belluscio says many of the districts have been able to recall laid off employees after veteran teachers retired.
"As a taxpayer," Belluscio said, "You might appreciate the fact that school district has tightened its belt."
State pension officials say 5,435 teachers retired in July, more than double who retired a year ago. Some teachers have said they feared possible changes in pension rules.
