Whitman-Hanson School District to Lay Off 25 Educators, Close Budget Gap

The Whitman-Hanson School District in Massachusetts said it is moving ahead with plans to lay off 25 educators to close a $1.4 million budget deficit.

According to a CBS News Boston WBZ-TV report, Superintendent Jeff Szymaniak announced the budget gap during a school committee meeting on Thursday, Oct. 30. At the meeting, the committee voted to push the decision to eliminate the jobs back 30 school days to research other alternatives. The district then reversed course, citing concerns that the vote on the matter violated state law. Szymaniak said the district literally can't afford to wait to address the budget deficit.

According to the school committee, notifications will be distributed on Monday, Nov. 10, alerting the 25 teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators that they will be laid off. It's not clear when these individuals will lose their jobs. Another five positions will not be filled due to planned retirements.

A 7NEWS Boston report stated that school district officials attribute the deficit to overspending and the resignation of the district's former business manager. An outside firm retained by the district to consult on the matter recommended an immediate $800,000 reduction. Officials said no funds are missing from the district.

Upon hiring, a new district business manager said that more drastic consequences could result if immediate action isn't taken. That includes the possibility of closing one of the district's schools in March 2026.

During an emergency meeting held on Wednesday, Nov. 5, the Whitman-Hanson Education Association, a teachers' union, passed a vote of no confidence in Szymaniak. 

"Our educators have been forced to operate under conditions that undermine morale, disrupt planning, and threaten the future of high-quality public education at Whitman-Hanson," said Kevin Kavka, president of the Whitman-Hanson Education Association, in a statement shared with CBS News Boston.

Parents and teachers expressed frustration that the district is short $1.4 million and needs to eliminate positions.