Belleville School District 118 school board cut six certified teachers and 20 noncertified support staff members during its monthly meeting Tuesday night.

"None of these (cuts) are connected with performance or will impact programs," Superintendent Matt Klosterman said.

He explained the staff reductions are necessary this time of year as the district's enrollment numbers are still being determined for next school year. In addition, he explained the district is in uncertain financial times as the revenue from the state and federal government as well as local property taxes continues to decline.

Currently, Klosterman said the state owes the district $1.4 million and another $800,000 will be coming due the end of March. If the federal government's sequestration isn't resolved by July 1, the district will lose another $230,000 in funding, according to Klosterman.

All the teachers dismissed are first-year teachers who are nontenured and still on probation, Klosterman said. The layoffs are effective at the end of this school year. State law requires certified teachers be notified of any layoffs at least 45 days before the end of the school year.

The noncertified personnel, who are more commonly referred to as para-professionals, cut Tuesday night have been working for the district for between one and three years, Klosterman said.

Depending on what enrollment numbers dictate, some of the certified teachers and noncertified support staff may be hired back before the start of next school year, according to Klosterman. "The hope is many of these individuals will come back," he said.

Last year, the district cut a similar number of personnel, and Klosterman said all had the opportunity to come back and work for the district if they desired.

School board member Gary Lawrence said when he was a teacher, he was dismissed by the district on three separate occasions and hired back each time.

The Belleville School District 201 school board took similar action during its meeting Monday night and dismissed three full-time and one part-time teacher. The District 201 board is expected to consider further staffing reductions next month.

Contact reporter Jamie Forsythe at 239-2562 or jforsythe1@bnd.com.