Rialto Unified teacher Joscelin Thomas knew that her school district was the first in the state to send employees notices that their jobs were in danger. She knew she was particularly vulnerable as a new employee. She hoped she wouldn't get one.
"I have a lot of faith. Maybe it won't happen," she said with a smile.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Friday, March 07, 2008 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 41 words Type of Material: Correction
Teacher layoffs: An article in Monday's California section about the possibility that teachers could be laid off in the Rialto Unified School District said that the district is among the state's 40 smallest. It is one of California's 40 biggest districts.
Then the vice principal asked her if she had received any certified mail recently.
Yes, Thomas said, but the mother of six hadn't had time to go the post office to pick it up.
"Um, that's it," the vice principal said gently as Thomas slumped in her chair.
Thomas' situation is an apt example of the predicament of public school teachers around the state. After crossing their fingers that they could avoid layoffs, teachers from Santa Ana to Kern County learned last week that they may not have jobs as their districts struggle to balance their books in anticipation of a $4.8-billion education cutback proposed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The California Teachers Assn. estimates that 5,000 notices of possible layoffs have been issued statewide and predicts more by March 15, the date by which districts must first notify teachers that their jobs are in danger. Final notifications should arrive by early summer.
The situation is particularly difficult in Rialto, where the school board voted to send notices to 305 employees. Officials project a nearly $23-million shortfall next year in the district's $220-million budget because of the governor's proposed spending plan and declining enrollment, which has been exacerbated by the sub-prime mortgage crisis. The district is already one of the 40 smallest in California.
Rialto, which has a largely Latino student body, had nearly 31,000 students two years ago but lost about 1,200 -- mostly because families moved amid high housing costs, Supt. Edna E. Davis-Harring said.
Rialto officials were so concerned about the drop that they began mapping foreclosures and discovered more than 400 in their area.
"If you don't have the funding, you just don't have it. And we truly don't have it," Davis-Harring said.
Second-year teacher Jorge Alvarez tried not to let his concern show during a recent world history class at Wilmer Amina Carter High School. It's hard enough to control 24 sophomores at 7:30 a.m. without worrying about losing your house.
"I know this is first period, but wake up. We're in school now," he told his students, a few of whom were stifling yawns.
