Fort Wayne Community Schools (FWCS) is preparing to lay off employees as part of a broader effort to manage financial uncertainty. Superintendent Mark Daniel confirmed the upcoming job cuts in a letter to staff, highlighting the need for tough financial decisions.

Layoffs and Restructuring Announced

On Wednesday, Daniel informed employees that layoffs were imminent. While more details will be shared during a staff training day on Monday, some affected individuals have already been notified.

In his letter, Daniel acknowledged FWCS’s long history of making difficult financial choices, including school closures, outsourcing, and staffing adjustments. The latest round of changes will primarily affect central office positions, with retirements and eliminated roles accounting for approximately $3 million in salary and benefits.

Focus on Administrative Cuts

FWCS leadership has been evaluating ways to consolidate positions and redistribute responsibilities within the district. While these changes involve administrative roles, the superintendent reassured staff that efforts are being made to keep cuts away from the classroom.

• The district is reorganizing multiple central office departments.
• Some employees have been notified their positions will be eliminated.
• Others will see their roles shifted to different departments.
• Several administrators have submitted retirement paperwork, though final approvals are pending from the board of trustees.

Official Statement from FWCS

An FWCS spokesperson confirmed the authenticity of Daniel’s letter and provided additional context.

“FWCS is in the process of reorganizing several central office departments. Some employees were notified on Wednesday that their positions will be eliminated, while others were informed that their positions are moving to another department. We have also recently had several administrators submit paperwork for retirement. We cannot comment specifically on any individuals, as these changes have not yet been made official by board approval,” the spokesperson stated.

Daniel acknowledged the emotional difficulty of these conversations in his letter.

“These colleagues have friends throughout the district and, combined, have served the district for many, many years,” he wrote. “We wish them all the best in this transition.”

The district will provide further details to employees in the coming days as the restructuring plan moves forward.