Nearly two dozen staff members at Kingfisher Public Schools were informed last week that they won’t hold their current positions next semester.

Interim Superintendent Andy Evans confi rmed to the Times & Free Press last week that the district’s reduction in force ultimately led to 21 staff members losing their positions.

Evans let those staff members know late last week.

The move was made necessary, he said, as the district is navigating through a nearly $2 million budget shortfall.

After the district requested $16.2 million in its estimate of needs, the Kingfisher County Excise Board amended it to $14.2 million to avoid passing a tax increase to property owners within the school district.

Evans recommended the board of education give him permission at last week’s regular meeting to reduce encumbrances by nearly $2 million for the school year.

A bulk of that, he said, would have to be a reduction in payroll.

Those staff members mostly teachers, but also some administration and support staff - were given the option to tender their resignation or appeal Evans’ decision.

If they resign, the affected staff members will be given a $2,500 “bonus,” Evans said.

That money will be paid out on Jan. 9, 2025, with their final paychecks.

Those staff members affected will work and be paid through the end of the semester.

The names of personnel let go in the reduction in force cannot be revealed until they tender their resignation or file their appeal.

The board of education has a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday (after press time of this edition).

It’s at that meeting that resignations will be tendered or appeal dates will be set for those who wish to appeal, said Evans.

Board of education members, who could not be told by Evans the staff members or positions that would be affected, will hear and vote on any appeals at a later date.