Twenty-one teachers in Keansburg were stunned to find out that they were being laid off due to budget cuts.

News 12 New Jersey has learned that some of the layoffs will be effective immediately, while other teachers are not being asked to re-sign their contracts heading into the next school year.

The layoff notices – also known as a “reduction in force” – went out right as all schools are closed in the state due to the pandemic and students are learning virtually.

The layoffs are being blamed on a bill known as Senate 2, which reapportioned state aid to school districts. Keansburg previously let go of 20 teachers last year.

Heading into this year, the district was getting $26 million in state aid. This was decreased by $388,000 from the year before.

Ellen Chalmers is a parent of two students at the high school. She says that she has been active in trying to increase funding for the district. She says that she feels bad for the students.

“Now they’re losing out on what were essentially pillars of their lives. Mentors, coaches, teachers, administrators. It’s another thing they’re losing at a time they are losing so much,” Chalmers says.

Chalmers’s son Lou is a junior who will be losing out on some of his teachers and football coaches.

“It’s been rough because a few of the football coaches really helped me. Helped me get batter at what I played,” he says.

The school superintendent tells News 12 that he would be willing to provide more details about the layoffs following next week's school board meeting, which will take via Zoom conference on Tuesday.