The Echo

At the root of this fight is a $21 million decrease in federal stimulus funding, which has forced districts to scramble to meet budget shortfalls.

Ann Visalli, director of the state's Office of Management and Budget, said state officials have encouraged superintendents to trim administrator positions and eliminate duplication of services.

"I have been pretty clear with the chiefs that we don't want this to affect the classroom," she said

"We did the dirty work," Mackenzie said. "We had to [lay off] friends and neighbors -- members of our own community."

Christina is holding an operating referendum on about $19 million on May 25. If it passes, some of the employees could be hired back, district officials said.

Visalli specifically questioned Christina's layoffs.

"Christina should have enough money to keep those teachers on," she said. "I would be hard-pressed to say this would be the only option that they had."