MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama public schools are seeing their steepest enrollment decline in 40 years — a drop expected to cost the state 500 to 700 teacher positions next year, according to State Superintendent Eric Mackey.

“This will be the largest reduction we’ve had in the last four decades,” Mackey told the Alabama State Board of Education Thursday, emphasizing that the numbers are not yet final. “About 5,000 students lost when it’s all said and done.”

Mackey said the reduction in students will directly affect funding for teachers.

“Teacher jobs are tied to student enrollment,” he said.

“This is between 500 to 700 teacher jobs that will disappear next year as we work on the next budget cycle. So it’s a big impact.”

Mackey said the department estimates about 3,000 students left publ

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