(Richmond, IN)--The Richmond Education Association, or teachers union, issued a scathing response Thursday to the message from Superintendent Dr. Curtis Wright, which wasdelivered earlier in the week about Reductions In Force, or RIF.  22 positions are set to be eliminated.  In his message, Wright said there was discussion about potential RIF’s as early as last fall.  "That give-and-take was central to the bargaining process," Wright said.  In their response, the REA said "there have been no conversations.  RCS has told teachers what will happen.  RCS has told staff that they are in dire financial straits."  The statement goes on to allege that RCS was either misleading or misinforming the bargaining team about the nature of the planned cuts when a new contract was ratified late last year.  The RCS Board meets this coming Tuesday, and public comment will be taken.