Layoffs at Lake Superior College to Affect 10 Employees
As a result of reductions to state support for higher education, ten employees will be laid off at Lake Superior College. The layoffs represent a three percent cut to the college’s permanent workforce and will take place over the next several weeks, depending on various contract requirements.
In addition to the layoffs, LSC announced several other cost saving measures today at a series of meetings with employees. These measures include elimination of vacant positions, a voluntary salary savings program and instructional efficiencies. Altogether the announced measures total $1.4 million. Prior to making the staffing changes, Lake Superior College cut their non-personnel budget by $950,000.
The budget reduction plan was developed in response to cuts to the state allocation and the anticipated gubernatorial unallotment. The reductions announced today affect all operational units and employee groups within the college. The plan was developed over a five-month period, as various revenue and expenditure information became available.
The actions announced today are “Phase Four” of a five-phase process. College officials say additional adjustments to the budget may be required once impact of the governor’s unallotments, federal stimulus dollars, and legislative actions are fully assessed.
The college anticipates similar financial challenges for fiscal year 2010-11 and the subsequent biennium. LSC’s budget planning includes provisions to position the college to balance its budget into the next biennium.