Buffalo’s public schools are facing a tight budget for the upcoming year, and as is the current trend, teachers are going to take the punch. However, the number of layoffs is significantly less that was originally expected when the school system revealed their budget proposal last spring.

The reason for the reduction is likely due to the number of retirements that have taken place. The system currently offers an early-retirement incentive offered to teachers.

As of now, there is no certainty as to which teachers will get the axe, however, current plans will cut six in the social studies department, eight in the career and technical education, 15 in math and 15 in science.

“I don’t know whether this will stand, but that’s where we are now,” said superintendent James A. Williams. He expressed concern for the number of science teachers being laid off, saying, “I think we need an explanation of why they need to cut so many science teachers, especially when there is money coming in from the federal government.”

However, he the superintendent answered his own question, saying that the reason for the amount of layoffs in each department were subject to scheduling needs at the secondary level.

There were no layoffs at the elementary level.