Teacher and aide layoffs in Orange

ORANGE, Mass. (WWLP) - Pink slips are going out in the Orange School System. The Orange Superintendent of Elementary Schools told 22News that budget shortfalls have forced him to lay off 22 people, including 8 full time teachers, and 9 full time class aides.

Michael Baldassarre said he's hearing about it from parents, "They're not happy to have found out that their children will not have music in the next school year. They will not have art in the next school year. Will not have physical education in the next school year. That in some cases, class sizes will go up."

Baldassarre pointed out the lack of funding to fix leaking roofs, plumbing problems or to replace broken technology. He said he's hopeful funding can be found to restore the positions, but he's not optimistic.

He said parents are mobilizing with social media web pages to try to find funding to restore the jobs. "Budget crunches are hard. But it's even more difficult when a budget crunch is placed on the backs of six-year-olds and seven-year-olds."