Science Museum of Va. to cut seven employees

-- The faltering economy has claimed seven more victims.

The Science Museum of Virginia is laying off seven employees out of a full-time staff of 72, effective Feb. 1. The museum is owned and run by the state.

"It's budget-related," said museum spokeswoman Nancy Tait. "It's a combination of our state support being down and our expected revenues being down."

The museum will have an estimated shortfall of $1.6 million, which it is trying to make up by closing on Mondays, placing a moratorium on travel and training costs, and freezing spending.

No additional cuts in staff are expected, Tait said, and the museum is not increasing the price of admission.

"It's hard for the organization. . . . These are good folks, and they would still be here if we had any other options," said Richard Conti, museum director and chief executive officer.

The employees can take advantage of state severance benefits that Conti called generous, including severance pay, preferential rehiring at the museum or other state offices, placement assistance, and, if they want, paid time off before the layoffs become effective.