Epic Charter School announces layoffs and pay cuts for teachers

TULSA, Okla. – Epic Charter Schools is cutting back on their staff and asking teachers to take a pay cut.

Epic, an online school, told staff on Oct. 25 that the school is making staffing changes due to student enrollment numbers.

Here is a copy of the email sent to staff:

Good morning,

I have some unpleasant news to share this morning that will impact all of us at Epic Charter Schools as we move forward with the 2024-2025 school year.

Epic faces a significant financial shortfall due to student enrollment falling far short of our projected student population growth. As a publicly funded school, we have an obligation to balance the budget under state law, and therefore difficult decisions had to be made to meet the challenge and right-size Epic so that it can thrive in today’s reality fits.

In addition to the cost-saving measures we have identified in recent months, staff reductions will also be necessary. This was not a decision we made lightly, and it weighs heavy on our hearts to be in this position, especially after so much progress has been made over the past year and all the success and momentum we are experiencing as an organization.

Today, our HR team will be contacting employees affected by this workforce reduction to explain the off-boarding process and answer any questions. We will also begin communicating with students and families affected by the reorganization, as well as vendors and community partners, as appropriate.

Epic will take a different approach to staffing going forward based on expected enrollment data to ensure we never face this situation again.

In the coming days and weeks there will be opportunities for you to ask questions and express your concerns.

Honestly,

Superintendent Banfield and the Executive Leadership Team

In addition to the layoffs, remaining employees will be asked to agree to salary changes.

Start 1/1/2024the minimum salary for teachers will be adjusted to $50,000 per year, a change from $60,000. for teachers
Effective November 1, we will implement a 1% reduction in annual compensation for administrative staff earning $80,000 or more

School leaders said they will make staffing choices differently in the future based on enrollment data to prevent this from happening in the future.
2 News asked Epic about the cuts and they provided this statement:

Epic Charter Schools is currently undergoing a school-wide reorganization to right-size programs, services and staff due to student enrollment numbers that have not achieved projected growth for the 2024-2025 school year. We are doing everything we can to ensure that the educational experience for our current students and families is not disrupted, and to support those affected by the workforce adjustments.

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