This afternoon, DCPS released final details of the budget reductions that have caused an uproar in the schools community since probable staff cuts were first announced last month.

In total, 388 employees will be let go across the District, 229 of whom are teachers. According to a DCPS release, “60 percent of schools will lose one or zero teachers and 80 percent of schools will lose two or less.” Twelve campuses lost five or more teachers, mostly likely schools that failed to meet projected enrollment. Employees affected received notice today, and will be placed on paid administrative leave until November 2, when their employment will end.

The total budget shortfall for FY2010 was $43.9 million, which the official DCPS line blames on an “unanticipated D.C. Council budget reduction, additional school level resources that in previous years the central office was able to carry on its budget, and $3.5M in leave and severance.” Cuts made centrally totaled $13.1 million (including the elimination of the school ombudsman’s office), with the remainder coming from school-level reductions.

Coming so soon after the start of the school year, the budget reductions have inflamed already tense relations between the Chancellor’s office, the Council, and teacher advocates. In the Post today, Bill Turque summarized the controversy over the cuts, which sparked angry reactions from the Washington Teachers Union and some protests by students and teachers. Council Chairman Vincent Gray has also suggested that the cuts were unnecessary, and has accused schools chancellor Michelle Rhee of using the Council as a scapegoat.

Rhee has faced accusations of using the cuts as an excuse to fire older or minority teachers. She has denied that the cuts were anticipated, or part of a master plan to eliminate teachers, but has also acknowledged that the cutbacks are “an opportunity to rid the system of teachers she considers underperforming,” even perhaps including some veteran educators. As Rhee told Post editors last week, “I’m trying to figure out how to manage the realities in a way that will benefit kids. As we are having to downsize staff are we [looking at] people who add the least value? Absolutely.”