MEMPHIS, TN -
(WMC-TV) - Three days before the start of the new school year, Shelby County Schools is laying off more employees.
It has been an emotional and financial roller coaster for teachers, who have waited all summer to find out if they would have jobs next week. Some of those teachers found out Friday that they will not have jobs come Monday.
About half of the people laid off Friday are counselors; the other half are teachers.
Adding insult to injury, the district will take back 50 percent of their paychecks that were direct deposited Friday.
Gennie Kilpatrick got her walking papers at the end of last year. Friday morning though, she got an email.
"And it said that I was temporarily deployed to Bartlett High School," she said. "It did not list a position or anything, so I'm unaware of what I'll be doing or anything like that."
Kilpatrick is happy for the work, but devastated by the overall experience.
The email that special education teacher Stephanie Gilmore received Friday says she cannot even apply for another job.
"I've wasted eight years of my life and I guess I'm going to find employment in another profession at 43 years old," she said. "I never in a million years thought I would be wondering Friday afternoon, 'Where is my son going to be Monday? Where am I going to be Monday?'"
Shelby County Schools Superintendent Dorsey Hopson says more than half of the teachers who were excessed in the spring are still out of work. He says the district is extending the interview and hiring process.
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