The Mercer County Special Services Educational & Therapeutic Association (MCSSETA) was blindsided Friday by a district plan to lay off 19 classroom assistants effective March 4 and 12 teachers effective April 3. While MCSSETA anticipated discussions about layoffs for the 2021-2022 school year, layoffs while a school year is still in progress are rare.

MCSSETA represents the district’s teachers, therapists, and classroom assistants who work with Mercer County’s most vulnerable students. The Mercer County Special Services School District serves students with severe special needs who cannot be accommodated in traditional public schools.

Layoffs off during an academic year is not only unusual, it is especially disruptive for students with special needs who rely on routine, individualized educational plans, and close, trusting relationships with their educators.

“Ripping beloved classroom assistants and teachers from students’ lives threatens the emotional stability we’ve worked so hard to achieve during this pandemic,” noted MCSSETA President Leah Durastanti. “These layoffs will have a devastating effect on these students and their families and could cause irreparable harm.

“These layoffs will also harm the 31 essential employees who have served students selflessly and lovingly. Pulling them away from the students they have bonded with is completely heartless. And aside from the shattering economic impact of leaving these dedicated staff members without a salary, you are leaving them and their families without health benefits in the middle of a pandemic! Laying them off in the middle of a semester during an economic downturn destines them to be jobless until a new school year begins. That’s shameful.”

The Board of Education is expected to act on the proposed layoffs at its Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021 meeting.

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