Brandywine Community Schools announced last week it would be laying off eight teachers, the school board approved sending those notices out by Saturday.

Supt. John Jarpe notified the following teachers last week that due to budget cuts, they will be done at the end of the 2010-11 school year: Cheryl Brooks, Jenn Cowe, Brittney Gmeiner, Jennifer Gray, Deidre LaPointe, Alicia Stout and Clinton Teller.

The district is facing an estimated $900,000 cut in funding based on Gov. Rick Snyder’s initial budget proposal.

“Due to the uncertain nature of the state funding … we do have to prepare for that eventuality,” Jarpe said during the school board meeting Monday night at Brandywine High School.

According to the collective bargaining agreement between the district and the teachers’ union, teachers must be notified of layoffs by April 30.

“We certainly will do all we can to recall as many of these teachers as possible,” Jarpe said. He emphasized that teachers are laid off based on seniority, not performance.

Last year, the district was forced to lay off 18 teachers due to budget cuts. All but one of those teachers were reinstated after others retired.

Brandywine Community Schools will have two community forums Tuesday to discuss state funding cuts and the district’s plans. The first will be held at 9:30 a.m. in the library at Merritt Elementary; the second will be held at 7 p.m. in the library at Brandywine Elementary. The public is encouraged to attend.