GARY, Ind. (AP) — Nearly 170 teachers in the Gary Community Schools have been told they are facing layoffs.

District superintendent Myrtle Campbell says that callbacks to work are unlikely because of the district’s declining enrollment and budget troubles. Campbell tells the Post-Tribune of Merrillville that the district needs to cut $11 million from its budget and personnel is the biggest part of its spending.

The layoffs amount to about 23 percent of the district’s some 730 teachers.

Campbell says the district anticipates enrollment falling about 700 students from this year’s level of 10,000.

Gary Teachers Union president Carlos Tolliver says those being laid off include an industrial arts teacher with 39 years of experience and others teaching for 25 years.

Posted 5/30/2012