OAKMONT, Pa. — Riverview School District teachers were stunned to find a letter in their mailboxes letting them know furloughs for the upcoming school year are on the way.
“You're ending the school year with all of these teachers who are on this bed of uncertainty walking around like on eggshells,” said district parent Amanda Gornick.
Programs like art, music, physical education and guidance would be affected.
The district assured Channel 11 they are not eliminating any programs; rather, they are proposing to restructure. For example, if a program is eliminated, affected teachers could move to other classrooms.
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But it's a harsh reality for students like Emily Pietrgallo and Kelsey Mayhood in the music program.
“We're all really hurt and upset by this,” Mayhood said.
“It's the reason I go to school. I love it,” Pietrgallo said.
When Channel 11 took these concerns to the district, Superintendent Dr. Margaret Dininno sent a statement reading, in part, that the district isn't getting enough money from the state and or federal government: “This reality has led to the need for us to take some time to examine our current situation very closely and look at it from the perspective of our future as a school district.”
"We only are looking at furloughing teachers and furloughing programs. We're not talking about the administrative assistants," said parent Anna Mayhood.
Anna Mayhood says she has asked the district several times for a budget breakdown but is still waiting on it.
“Why not give us the budget? If you feel that what you're doing is right, support that. Show us!” she said.