WGEM.com: Quincy News, Weather, Sports, and RadioNew process for QPS teacher pink slips underway

QUINCY, Ill. (WGEM) -- Teacher layoffs could be coming soon at Quincy Public Schools, marking the 4th straight year of cutbacks.

But this year, they'll be handled differently than ever before.

(See 'New ranking system developed for teacher evaluations in Quincy')

At the February school board meeting here at Baldwin Intermediate, layoffs talks are likely to start dominating the conversation and a new state law will change how that conversation unfolds

Until now, if a school has had to lay off teachers due to budget issues, it cut those lowest on the tenure totem pole first.

Now, a teacher's performance will be included into that decision process and members of the community support the change.

"Some of the younger teachers do just as good of a job," said Heather Vonderheide, a Quincy resident.

Illinois lawmakers have said they hope the new layoff process will help schools keep the best teachers when cuts are required, rather than be forced to keep those with the most experience.

"Now by the new law, if there is a tie in the ranking, then seniority will take place," said Lonny Lemon, Quincy's Superintendent.

Lemon says he doesn't know if teacher layoffs will be necessary this year, but wouldn't be a surprise.

Right now, Lemon says the state is approximately 4 to 6 months behind in its payments to the school district and that's made the district's finances shaky.

"We already have $750,000 a year out of a $1.2 million dollar budget where our boosters are helping us supplant what should be district funds, so it's tough," said Lemon.

If the pattern of unreliable state funding continues, the school district may have to tighten it's belt, and Lemon says that could hurt.

"Anything we would cut any more would be felt," said Lemon. "There's no question."

The topic of teacher layoffs could come up at the next school board meeting on February 22nd.

If teachers are given pink slips, the school district is required to hand those out by March.