The School City of Hammond has begun laying off janitors and clerical staff in response to its dire financial situation and could close as many as four schools soon.
School district spokeswoman Donna Petraits said Wednesday that Superintendent Scott Miller has begun implementing a cost reduction plan submitted to the state Distressed Unit Appeal Board Feb. 15. The plan was authorized by the school board, Petraits said.
She said last week, some non-certified employees were notified through a letter from Miller that their final day of employment will be April 19.
About 200 certified and non-certified employees are facing layoffs, she said. Certified staff typically means teachers.
Hammond careened quickly into fiscal peril after voters rejected the continuation of an operating referendum in November expected to provide about $15 million annually over eight years.
Hammond, the largest district in Northwest Indiana, landed on the radar of the state’s financial watchdog, DUAB, soon afterward.
School officials say the continued impasse with the Hammond Teachers Federation has complicated finances further.
Besides the defeat of the referendum, the district faces increased health insurance costs for teachers, amounting to about $5 million this year. A 2021 11.4% base salary increase for teachers cost $7.6 million and an additional 3.2% raise in 2022 added another $2.4 million.
Meanwhile, enrollment declined 1,581 students from 2019-20 to 2023-24, leading to a loss of $12.5 million in state funding.
Teachers rejected a contract proposal on Dec. 22. On Dec. 27, the union filed an unfair labor practice complaint against the district.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.