MONROE — Unsure of how many teachers and administrators will need to be laid off to plug a projected $5.6 million hole, Monroe Public Schools' leaders plan to send pink slips to all of the district's teachers and principals.

School officials said laying off 343 teachers and 21 administrators is a procedural move that will allow the district to comply with union contracts that require giving 60-day notices while it works on the budget that must be approved by June 30.

Superintendent Randy Monday said any layoffs that would actually have to be put in place for next September will be contingent on the level of funding that state lawmakers will approve for public schools and budget cuts made by the school board.

"Certainly, we have no intention of letting all of our teachers and administrators go," he said. "We have a number of budget uncertainties to deal with as well as highly qualified certifications we must observe in assigning teachers and administrators. Therefore, it is prudent to notify all certified staff of the potential for layoff until some of the uncertainties are better defined."

The planned layoffs were discussed Tuesday at the board of education's finance committee meeting. The staffing reductions are expected to be taken at the board's next meeting on April 12.

First Published March 24, 2011, 5:47 a.m.