Fort Wayne Schools Face Cuts

Due to ongoing state legislation, FORT WAYNE, Ind — Fort Wayne Community Schools (FWCS) faces tough financial decisions. According to Superintendent Mark Daniel, some central office employees were told their positions would be cut, totaling about $3 million in salary and benefits on Wednesday.

These cuts follow a warning from FWCS about a potential $14.5 million loss from two state Senate bills, including one about property tax relief. District spokeswoman Krista Stockman said the district is acting now to give affected employees time to find other jobs. Those impacted can apply for other positions within the district.

Superintendent Daniel stressed that keeping classroom programs intact is a top priority. “We want to keep any cuts away from the classroom,” he said.

While the exact number of affected staff is unclear, Stockman mentioned that some positions could be reassigned, and some administrators are retiring. The changes are expected to be finalized at the FWCS board meeting on March 24.

In addition to staffing cuts, FWCS is concerned about other potential losses. Senate Bill 1, which aims to provide property tax relief, could cost the district $12.5 million, and another bill could cause a $2 million loss to charter schools.