Sarasota County Schools to cut over 100 staff positions this fall

Superintendent says most employees will be reassigned, but some may lose their jobs

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:50pm

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A hazy, impressionistic scene of a classroom, with blurred shapes of desks, chairs, and educational materials in a warm, muted color palette, conveying the emotional impact of the staffing cuts on the school community.The staffing cuts in Sarasota's public schools will have a profound impact on the learning environment, as the district works to reassign affected teachers and support staff.Sarasota Today

Sarasota County Schools has announced that it will be cutting 136 staff positions for the upcoming school year, with 99 of those being first-year employees on probationary status and 37 having longer tenures at the district. The cuts are attributed to declining enrollment and rising operational costs, though the superintendent says they will work to reassign as many employees as possible.

Why it matters

The staffing cuts will have a significant impact on Sarasota's public school system, affecting both new and experienced teachers and staff. This raises concerns about the quality of education and support services for students, as well as the job security and morale of school employees.

The details

According to the Sarasota Classified Teachers Association president, the staffing cuts are 'not fair' to employees who have made a commitment to the district. While 99 first-year probationary staff will be let go, the 37 longer-serving employees will be given priority for reassignment based on their credentials and the district's staffing needs. The superintendent says they will work to find positions for all 136 unassigned employees, but cannot guarantee that everyone will be rehired.

  • The staffing cuts will take effect at the start of the 2026-2027 school year, with contracts for unassigned staff ending on June 30, 2026.

The players

Rex Ingerick

President of the Sarasota Classified Teachers Association.

Terry Connor

Superintendent of Sarasota County Schools.

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What they’re saying

“It's sad to think we're uprooting people who've made a commitment to be here and that's really not fair.”

— Rex Ingerick, President, Sarasota Classified Teachers Association

“It's my expectation that we'll be able to work with all 136 employees and hopefully find them a spot, but I can't guarantee that.”

— Terry Connor, Superintendent, Sarasota County Schools

What’s next

The Sarasota County School Board will work to reassign as many of the unassigned staff as possible to open positions within the district. Employees with more than two years of experience who are not reassigned will be offered classified support staff positions.

The takeaway

The staffing cuts in Sarasota County Schools highlight the challenges facing public education systems, as declining enrollment and rising costs force difficult decisions that impact both students and staff. The district's commitment to finding new roles for as many employees as possible is a positive step, but the situation underscores the need for sustainable funding and long-term planning to support the quality of public schools.