Sarasota County, Florida School District Cuts 320 Jobs

More than 200 Sarasota County, Florida teachers will have to find new jobs next year, as the school district cuts millions from its budget.

Another 120 aides, custodians, secretaries and bus drivers have also been laid off.

It’s the largest layoffs in the Sarasota County School District’s history, and is the first time Sarasota has had to lay off teachers in two decades.

Earlier this year the district eliminated media specialists and literacy coaches.

Principals have notified the teachers whose jobs were eliminated for next year.

A district-wide hiring freeze created a number of openings this year. The district will begin advertising open positions next week, and teachers will have until April 21st to apply for a new placement.

Sarasota teachers are among the highest paid in the state, earning a $53,809 median salary.