BOURBON - Triton School Superintendent Ted Chittum said Monday that projected school enrollment for the 2005-2006 school year is the reason the school corporation will lay off four full-time elementary school staff members.

Enrollment numbers have led the school administration to reduce the first, third and fifth grades by one section each and add a section to the fourth grade for the next school year.

The list of staff to be laid off includes two reading interventionists, a kindergarten teacher and a sixth-grade teacher. Chittum said the personnel cuts were made according to the seniority system.

According to Chittum, laid-off educators will be placed on a recall list and offered the first available position for which they are certified. Chittum said enrollment at the elementary school could end up higher than projected, in which case, he said, educators could be called back into employment.

The Triton School Board approved hiring Jason Groves as varsity boys basketball coach to replace former coach Mike McBride. Groves served as junior varsity coach this season.

Board president Steve Blackford announced that May 2 is the cut-off date for those wishing to be considered to serve out the rest of board member Steve Shively's term.

Shively, the Etna Green Township representative on the board, announced at the March 28 school board meeting that he will retire from his position starting July 1.

The remaining four school board members will select a replacement for Shively. Those interested in filling the position must live within Etna Green Township and must send written notification of interest to Blackford at the Triton School Administration Office, 100 Triton Drive. [[In-content Ad]]