Seminole County Public Schools began notifying teachers this week that their contracts are being canceled for next year, effectively laying them off – although district officials are unable to say exactly how many teachers are being let go.
SCPS is facing a $26.4 million budget deficit for the 2026-27 school year because of a projected 2,000 student drop in enrollment, as birth rates decline and more students use state vouchers for private school. The district is planning to cut 281 positions, including 205 teachers and support staff, and an additional 76 district-level positions.
School officials said they would try to handle the job cuts through attrition and not filling open positions. But teachers began getting notices this week that their contracts would not be renewed for the 2026-27 school year.
“I have teachers who were rated highly effective told today they aren’t coming back next year,” said Thomas Bugos, the president of the Seminole Education Association, the union that represents teachers…