floyd norrisFloyd Norris, business columnist and 26-year veteran of the New York Times, is the most prominent staffer to accept the buyout package designed to trim 100 from the ranks of the revamping paper.

He’s leaving Dec. 19 to pursue opportunities at perhaps a university or foundation after taking a break from his twice-a-week column schedule.

David Firestone, a member of the paper’s editorial board since 2010, joins Norris in leaving the NYT. The 21-year veteran announced his departure via Twitter.

About 30 staffers have accepted the buyout package. The deadline for acceptance is today. Publisher Pinch Sulzberger expects to unveil layoffs to achieve the 100 job cut goal.

The current layoffs are the fourth reduction since 2008.