Pleasant Valley School District will vote on a measure to lay off teachers Thursday night.

The enrollment in the district has continued to decline over the last few years.The agenda for Thursday evening’s board of education meeting lists four middle school teachers being considered for furlough. One of these teachers, a science teacher is also listed for retirement.In addition to the four teachers listed, six teachers are being considered for transfer.During a school board meeting earlier this month, retiring Superintendent Carole Geary and district business manager, Susan Famularo said in the past the district had been able to control costs and avoid tax increases by not replacing staff as they resigned or retired and had been able to do so without resorting to layoffs.“It was a lot easier growing than it is shrinking,” Geary said.The district met with the teachers and union representatives last week to break the news of the furloughs.“In regards to being notified by the administration about the furloughs and demotions, the Pleasant Valley Education Association is very disappointed because we will be losing talented professionals who have contributed to the school district’s academic objectives and are valued educators,” PVEA President John Gesiske said.“Also, demotions are demoralizing and negatively impact our students’ learning environments. PVEA is still assessing the situation and will be discussing all the options with the district and employees impacted by these decisions.”Another item listed under personnel on the agenda is the retirement of John Gress, principal at the high school. Gress has spent the last 41 years with the district and thinks of it as a big part of his family and his life.“This has been a tough decision,” Gress said of his decision to retire. “But we will continue to live in the district and what is wonderful about that is that so often I see the students and those that have graduated as I move through the area. So many of the students have been so very sucessful and it’s not always the ones you hear about. Our students have been sucessful in many ways.”Gress added that sometimes people ask him that as a principal did he miss teaching.“I laugh and always say, ‘I never stopped teaching.’ ”“I have always enjoyed trying to make a difference in the lives of students, and I hope I’ve made an impact over the years. I always remind others that it is the kids that are the most important. Day in and day out, it’s all about the kids.”