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4,700 LAUSD Layoffs?
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Looks like it. The board of the L.A. Unified School District is poised to vote on the large layoff package to fight off their $640 million budget shortfall (to compare, the city of L.A. is currently facing a $212 million shortfall and an expected $484 million deficit next fiscal year, starting in July. They are planning on sacking some 4,000 employees).
"Recommended by district financial staff in a report to be reviewed today by the school board, the move would virtually eliminate school nurses and librarians, increase all class sizes, including a high of up to 44 students in middle school, and boost counselor loads to 1,000 students each," reported the Daily News. "Layoff notices would also go out to nearly 1,000 janitors and maintenance workers and 520 school office workers, if the board approves the recommendations."
In past years, many layoff notices have been rescinded after May 15 when the district finds a way to fund the jobs or pressure from unions win. This time, however, the outcome may not be so cheery.
The board voted on placing a $100 a year parcel tax on the ballot, but in this economy, will the voter approve it? It would raise around $92 million for four years.
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