CHARLOTTE – Charlotte-Mecklenburg school leaders approved the plan to cut jobs Tuesday night and are now facing the reality of laying off hundreds of employees, including teachers.

CMS Superintendent Peter Gorman said the school system is in a tough position because their $90 million budget shortfall for next year makes cuts in the classroom unavoidable.

CMS has already made cuts at the district office, including 13 Human Resources positions.

Others will continue to be notified this month and next month about layoffs. The 500 teacher and assistant principal positions come into play if the district has to make cuts beyond the first $55 million.

Gorman said he thinks the process for which those cuts will be implemented is fair in light of uncertainty with state and local funding.

“We’ve got to lay out a clear and fair process, and that’s what’s been laid out,” Superintendent Peter Gorman.

Many of the cuts will be based on job performance.

Gorman said Wednesday that those who are let go because of poor performance will not be hired back with the district. He said there is a possibility that some of the teachers could be eligible for rehire once the district gets a clearer budget picture.