EdKey Announces Further Job Cuts Set for March

Edkey, the charter school operator, has announced another wave of layoffs, set to take effect next month. The decision comes as part of efforts to address ongoing financial challenges within the organization.

Previously, 73 employees were let go on Friday, including 30 teaching positions, bringing the total layoffs since December to 119. In Maricopa, Sequoia Pathway Academy contributed to this reduction with five staff members, two of whom were teachers.

In light of the layoffs, Maricopa employees were reportedly required to sign non-disclosure agreements to qualify for severance packages. This has raised concerns among staff regarding the transparency of the process.

Edkey’s Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Yovhane Metcalfe, emphasized that the changes aim to minimize disruptions to student learning, stating that average class sizes remain around 24 students. “Our school leaders have redesigned their staffing plans to ensure there is no disruption to your child’s daily instruction,” she assured. The restructuring seeks to align staffing with current enrollment levels while maintaining a commitment to high-quality education.

These layoffs follow a series of lawsuits, complaints submitted to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office and the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as ongoing financial difficulties within the charter school system.