The Momence school board Monday voted to lay off four teachers. It's an effort to save the district $232,000 next year.

Only first-year teachers would be affected, according to the Superintendent's office. The cuts are expected in the lower grade levels, not the high school.

Board President Tom Madison said the board still is working to retain some of the four teachers. But the board must submit layoff notices by Feb. 22.

The district hasn't had a balanced budget for at least five years and landed on the state board of education's early warning list last year. Since 2010, it has lost $1.8 million the state has not paid.

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