St. Paul trims 117 teachers from district

The St. Paul school board is cutting 117 teachers from its staff next year as part of the board's response to a budget deficit for next year of more than $27 million.

The district has been making plans to close the gap for months, and is consolidating and closing schools around the city. Arlington High School is being phased out and another program relocated to its building.

Spokesman Howie Padilla said the district will be trimming its teaching ranks for next fall.

"The unfortunate reality, which we knew was coming, was the non-renewal of 117 probationary teachers," Padilla said. "The truth of the matter is there's some quality teachers there which for budgetary reasons, we were unable to renew."

The district is also ending instrumental musical instruction for elementary students during the school day, according to Padilla.

"We are providing music instruction for our elementary level students before school, after school and on Saturdays," he said. "So we're hoping those opportunities open the door for more students to take part in instrumental music instruction. We do know that those programs will then feed into our junior and senior level music instruction."

School officials blame the deficit on declining enrollment and stagnant state aid.