In what was clearly an emotion-filled evening, Pleasant Valley school directors took action that resulted in four middle- school teachers being furloughed and two additional staff members being demoted.

"This year the continual decline in enrollment and the lack of retirements has forced the district to make the difficult decision to furlough four staff members and demote two others as we eliminate teaching positions," retiring Superintendent Carole Geary told those present."In our rolls, we are responsible to provide the best possible education we can to our students while being fiscally responsible to our community."Trust me when I tell you, nobody sitting at this table wants to furlough staff. Unfortunately under the current circumstances and for the continued fiscal and operations success of the school district, this action needed to be taken."Aidan McHugh, a student at the middle school read an impassioned statement on behalf of his math teacher, who is among those being let go."I have had some great teachers, some love their students and some love their paychecks," McHugh said."The target should not be on the backs of the younger teachers."Board President Russell Gould addressed McHugh and explained how difficult it was to reach the decision to let the teachers go.Geary and a number of others commended McHugh on the great job he did representing his teacher.McHugh said if all of the students in his class were aware of what was happening that they all would have been present at the board meeting.In her statement Geary said that since 2004 the enrollment in the district has decreased from a high of 7,100 students to the current level of 4,400.During that same time period the district has gone from 515.5 teachers to 390.During the 13 years that enrollment has been declining the district has only furloughed 10.5 full time staff members.Geary also noted that these teachers would be considered for re-hire if the need arose.