170 Seattle Teachers Getting Layoff Notices

School districts across Washington are giving teachers layoff warning notices to cut spending plans.

The Washington Education Association says it knows of 615 confirmed notices as of Wednesday, and has heard of about 2,500 lost teaching jobs.

Spokesman Rich Wood says that's from about a third of the 294 districts in the state.

About 170 "reduction in force" notices have gone out to staff in the Seattle school district, a union representative told KIRO 7 Eyewitness News.

A representative from the Seattle Public Schools tells me they will release specifics about the layoffs Wednesday afternoon.

The district faces roughly $1 million in state funding cuts.

A letter sent to teachers indicates the district hopes to rehire many of those let go, as some teachers retire or resign.

"This is a very painful decision to have to make, and a reduction in force of our certificated staff is made only as a result of such an historic reduction in our state funding," wrote Seattle Public Schools CFO Donald Kennedy. "We want our staff to know that their dedication in the classroom is at the core of our work to support every student's success."

Layoffs are expected to rise Friday, the deadline for districts to notify teachers on continuing contracts. Exact numbers are hard to come by because of retirements and the loss of provisional teachers in their first couple of years on the job.

The numbers do not include support staff, such as bus drivers, aides and secretaries.

There are about 59,000 teachers and certificated staff at schools in Washington.

Under state law, districts have until Friday to send out layoff notices before the next school year.