Twenty-two teachers will be laid off from Niles Community Schools in an effort to cut $1.06 million from its budget, the school board announced Monday night.

During its regular meeting, the board unanimously approved the layoffs of the following teachers, effective June 30: Josh Grannell, Ashley Doyle, Michelle Zache, Melissa Prestine, Sean Banyon, Heather VanTuyl, Rebeka Hayes, Derek Brakefield, Katherine Shier, Jason Todd, Brett Scott, Emily Geulich, Nicholas Payne, Rachel Richmond, Josh Bourne, Bill Buckman, Amy Barr, Josie DeJong, David Belden, David Cleveland, Tony Short and Frandrika Davis.

Teachers were notified of the layoffs last week, President Dana Daniels said.

Daniels called the board’s action on layoffs “one of the worst” experiences he has had in his more than seven years on the board.

“Many of the teachers I do know personally … it does tear at my soul,” he said.

According to a finance presentation by Supt. Richard Weigel, the district’s estimated beginning fund balance for July 1 is $3.26 million. Its 2010-11 budgeted revenue is $34.54 million and its 2010-11 budgeted expenditures total $35.56 million.

Weigel emphasized during his presentation that expenses should not exceed revenue.

Seventy-eight percent of the district’s total budget is comprised of salaries and benefits.

“We are a people business,” Weigel said. “That is where we spend the majority of our funds.”

The layoffs, however, are just a part of the estimated budget cuts needed to maintain a 5 percent fund balance. Among other cuts — what Weigel called a “moving target” — are administration personnel, $191,000; athletics, $100,000; travel and transportation, $220,000; administrator 80/20 insurance savings (53,000); and overtime and extra pay ($39,000), among others.

Treasurer Jeff Curry expressed frustration that the district is budgeting $510,000 in step increases for teachers in 2011-12.

“Unfortunately, we are saddled with a system that is last in, first out,” Curry said. “That puts a further strain on our budget.

“I’m to the point where it is infuriating,” he elaborated.

The board and teachers’ union have yet to settle a contract.

Niles District Education Association President Andy Roberts said the board is actually laying off fewer people than he anticipated. He criticized Gov. Rick Synder for eliminating jobs when he was elected to create them.

“We’re in a system where we have to wait for the legislature to decide what to do,” he said Monday. “It’s a travesty, the system we have to deal with.

“The governor’s budget is devastating to education … and in turn, kids,” he said. “The losers are the kids.”

Roberts also chastised Curry — whom he called a “business man” — for announcing during the meeting his opinions on step increases.

“These teachers buy houses. They buy cars. They buy services,” Roberts said. “That’s the bigger picture.”

Roberts pointed to the teachers’ pay freeze last year and the agreement to pay more for insurance.

“Make a proposal,” he said of the school board. “Come to the table with a proposal. It’s still legal to bargain.”

The district has not had teacher layoffs of this magnitude in recent years. Nine teachers were laid off in 2010-11; eight in 2009-10; and one in 2007-08 (that teacher was eventually called back).