By Associated Press
Birmingham, AL – Birmingham schools superintendent Craig Witherspoon says there must be layoffs among the system's tenured staff.
In a memo dated June 18, Withserspoon states that an official reduction in force is needed, particularly to thin out classified staff, including secretaries, maintenance workers and cafeteria workers.
Last month the school board put off discussion of a reduction in force until Witherspoon could show why the declaration is needed and how much money it would save.
Witherspoon also says he plans to meet with board members in small groups to discuss the issues in private.