The Upper St. Clair School Board approved the administration's plan to decrease staffing on Monday night.

The 2011-12 will begin with one less English teacher at the high school; one less secondary math teacher that would teach at the high school and Fort Couch Middle School; one less resource teacher at Boyce Middle School; three fewer elementary teachers; and three less teacher aides.

In addition, one guidance counselor position is suspended for one year.

The three teacher aides were furloughed. Other positions were not filled after retirements.

Sharon Suritsky, assistant to the superintendent for curriculum and instruction/supervisor of special education, said the district worked to "realign the use of teachers at the schools" so the reduction "will not affect classrooms."

However, Suritsky did warn two high school English classes may have a few more students. The total classroom size will stay around 30 students, she said.

The teacher reductions were first discussed in the spring during budget talks. 

The first day of school is Monday, Aug. 29.