PASADENA — Parents, teachers and students angrily objected Tuesday to steps taken by the school district that might lead to the layoff of 33 counselors and librarians to cut up to $2 million from the 1992-93 budget.

More than 100 people attended an emotionally charged Board of Education meeting Tuesday to protest the potential layoffs, made public last week, when the district sent notices to 26 counselors and seven librarians advising that they may be laid off to balance the $73.4-million budget.

Supt. Philip Linscomb said the notices were sent to comply with state law requiring that staff be told by March 15 if they may be laid off. He said notices were not sent to teachers because teacher layoffs are unlikely. However, the teaching staff could be reduced by attrition, he said.

Board members defended the layoff notices as a necessary precaution as the district enters difficult budget deliberations and said it is not certain that the layoffs will be needed.

"We haven't made a decision," board member George Padilla said. "This allows us all the options."

But the audience strongly opposed any staff layoffs.

"It would be an absolute catastrophe to cut out the counselors and librarians," said Nada Ronning, a 13-year parent-volunteer.

Students and teachers expressed fears that if counselors are cut, students would no longer get help with problems and planning for their future education.

"Counselors humanize the schools," said Barbara Younker, a Washington Middle School teacher. "With violence in the streets and problems at home, our children need an ally in the schools."

Speakers also questioned what good a library would be without a librarian. "It takes more than a body on a stool to create an environment," Younker said.

Others said an absence of counselors would mean more disciplinary problems. Chuck Malouf, a teacher at John Muir High School, predicted that dropouts and vandalism would rise, costing the district more money.

"Where is the order going to come from?" asked Tracy White, John Muir High School student board member. "(Schools) only have one principal. The janitors can't discipline children."

Stories of counselors' good deeds echoed throughout the meeting. "My son had an operation two days before school," said parent Christine Ramsey with tears in her eyes. "If it hadn't been for his counselor, he wouldn't be in school now."