Seattle schools still working to finalize layoff totals

Seattle Public Schools said Thursday it is still finalizing the number of teachers, librarians, counselors and other certificated staff it intends to lay off for the coming school year. The preliminary number is 170, according to the Seattle teachers union, but the district said it's not yet ready to release official figures.

The district told 33 first- or second-year teachers a few months ago that they won't have jobs when school resumes in the fall.

By law, school districts must notify certificated employees by Friday if they won't have jobs in the upcoming school year.

The Shoreline School District also announced intended layoffs this week — 29 teachers. The statewide count now has hit about 1,000 confirmed layoffs, according to the state's largest teachers union.

Many districts such as Seattle hope to rehire many dismissed staff members by September but must be conservative now to ensure they don't employ more teachers than they can afford.