If workforce reduction is needed, the Board must retain employees at a school or in the School District based upon educational program needs and the performance evaluations of employees within the affected program areas. Within the program areas requiring reduction, the employee with the lowest performance evaluations must be the first to be released; the employee with the next lowest performance evaluations must be the second to be released; and reductions must continue in like manner until the needed number of reductions has occurred. The Board may not prioritize retention of employees based on seniority.

F.S. 1012.33