The Seattle Public School District announced Friday that 172 teachers and staff members, or 5 percent of the district's total certificated workforce, will be laid off in response to significant cuts in state funding, including 10 staff members at West Seattle High.

Superintendent Maria Goodloe-Johnson explained that the cuts were made in response to an estimated $34 million budget shortfall for the upcoming school year.

West Seattle High School was the hardest hit, with 10 teaching positions cut.

"I was in Shock, that (the cuts) went so deep,” said West Seattle High School Bruce Bivins. “My first intentions were ‘how do I get them back?’ I did not want to lose these teachers that have developed curriculum in their department and are integral to our school.”

Four language arts instructors were laid off, half of that department.

“I was surprised that it hit our school so badly in that department,” said Laura Turner, one of the language arts teachers who was laid off.

A fifth instructor taught for the Pathways Reading program, which assists students struggling with reading.

Other teaching positions cut include a health instructor, a physical education instructor, a sports medicine instructor a business/technology instructor and an English language learners instructor.

Turner is also the yearbook advisor, and said the schools newspaper advisor was also laid off.

"Whenever you lose an individual in a school you have to start over," said Bivins. "My biggest concern is the lost wisdom, expertise and trust that’s been built."

The school district explained that teachers have been laid off based on district seniority within their department. Turner said West Seattle High School's language arts department is one of the youngest staffs in the city.

“This is a very painful decision to have to make,” Goodloe-Johnson said, “We worked for many months to keep budget cuts away from the classroom. It is extremely difficult to lay off teachers and school-based staff, people who make a difference in students’ lives every day.”

Cut staff members have been informed directly. Seattle Public Schools plans a series of counseling and resource supports for staff who receive layoff notices.

The district has already implemented a number of budget-cutting strategies, including a reduction in central office staff, hiring freezes, increased efficiencies in operations such as transportation and nutrition services, closing schools, a responsible use of reserves, and freezing cost-of-living-adjustments.

Goodloe-Johnson added that she was optimistic that retirements and resignations would allow the district to recall a number of the individuals who are being laid off.

Teachers have been laid off based on seniority within teaching or job category based on contractual agreements with the Seattle Education Association. Cut staff members have been informed directly. Seattle Public Schools plans a series of counseling and resource supports for staff who receive layoff notices.

“We deeply regret that we must implement a reduction in force,” said Goodloe-Johnson said. “My staff and I have worked hard to keep cuts as far away from the classroom as possible, and we will continue to develop strategies to support our students, classrooms and schools.”

Across the state, at least 2,300 public school teachers have received layoff notices, according to the Washington Education Association.