California schools gird for layoffs
Schwarzenegger's budget calls for about $4.8 billion in education funding cuts. Educators say it's the worst financial crisis they can remember.
The Long Beach school board voted to close an elementary school this week. The Rialto Unified School District, in what is believed to be the first such action in the state this year, sent notices to 305 employees including teachers -- informing them that they may not have a job next fall. The San Francisco school district may take city "rainy day" money to help balance its budget.
School districts across California have begun trimming services and preparing to lay off teachers in response to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposed budget, which could cut about $4.8 billion in education funding in this and next year's budget. Educators say it's the worst financial crisis they can remember.
In previous budget cycles, school district and union officials have cried foul when the governor's budget is announced early in the year, only to have funding levels return to normal -- or near normal -- before school starts in the fall. In addition, officials say they have trimmed their budgets in recent years without having to lay off teachers or increase class sizes. But many don't see a light at the end of this budget tunnel.
"There isn't a whole lot of fat left to squeeze. You squeeze now by cutting jobs and teachers," said Bill Hedrick, president of the Rialto Education Assn. "We expect some of our members not to have jobs next fall. That's the reality of the situation."
The Los Angeles Unified School District, the state's largest, could have a $560-million deficit next year, an amount that would affect classroom programs. The district already had agreed to trim almost $100 million from next year's budget to comply with county guidelines before Schwarzenegger announced his fiscal plan in January, which would add another $460 million in potential reductions.
The combined sums would be the district's biggest shortfall ever.
"When I first saw the governor's proposed budget, quite frankly, I was in a state of shock," said Supt. David L. Brewer at a recent board meeting.
District officials have begun raising some scary scenarios to illustrate the depth of the potential problem. Chief Financial Officer Megan K. Reilly said the $460-million cut would be the equivalent of closing 22 high schools, firing 5,750 employees or an 8% pay cut for all employees.
The timing is particularly awkward because state law requires districts to initially inform teachers by March 15 that they may be unemployed, even though that deadline is well before the state's budget is finalized.
