Layoffs might be in store for Baton Rouge public schools; Supt. Warren Drake explains why

For the first time since he took over as superintendent in 2015, Warren Drake is asking the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board to give him authority to lay off employees to balance the school system’s books.

The move comes as Drake looks for a way to trim tens of millions of dollars in school spending in advance of the 2019-20 fiscal year, which starts July 1.

The School Board on Thursday night plans to consider invoking the school system’s Reduction in Force, or RIF, policy. A final vote is planned for April 18 and, if approved, a RIF letter would be sent out the next day notifying school system employees.

Board action doesn’t necessarily mean there would actually be employee layoffs, but it increases the possibility. In an effort to cut the budget without resorting layoffs, Drake for nearly a year has been leaving jobs unfilled as positions opened.

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