School board lays off 20 of 91 teachers

CLARKSVILLE, Ind. (AP) - A southern Indiana school board has voted to eliminate 20 of its 91 teaching positions to reduce a nearly $1 million budget deficit.

The Clarksville Community School Board voted unanimously Tuesday not to renew the contracts of the 20 teachers.

Board President Bill Wilson says it had no choice but to cut nearly a quarter of its teachers after voters on May 4 rejected the board's request for a special tax increase.

The board asked voters to approve a tax levy of 24 cents per $100 of assessed property value for up to seven years, which would have raised about $1 million.

After voters rejected it, the board voted to close one of four schools in the 1,400-student district.