LAUSD board finalizes hundreds of job cuts, previews future reductions

Topline:

Why now: Thursday’s vote finalizes preliminary layoff notices issued earlier this year to information technology workers, office technicians and staff that support parents and families. It’s still unclear how many employees will ultimately leave the district by June 30 — retirements and resignations can create openings for people who would otherwise lose their jobs.

Weren’t some jobs saved in a recent union deal? A new contract with SEIU Local 99 has yet to be ratified by the board, but once that happens it will undo part of the reduction in force, restoring 157 IT technicians and additional positions that would have been bumped into lower positions as a result of those layoffs.

Why it matters: LAUSD has spent more money than it brings in for the last two years and relied on reserves to balance its nearly $19 billion budget. The job reductions will save the district an estimated $90 million and is part of a fiscal stabilization plan adopted last June. Labor leaders pushed back on the job cuts during the meeting.  ”We're not going to allow this district to balance its budget on the backs of low-wage education workers,” said Max Arias, executive director of SEIU Local 99 which represents school support staff included in the reduction in force.

What's next: District staff also presented a plan that would cut an additional $3.6 billion from LAUSD’s budget in the next three years and eliminate an estimated 10% of jobs. The board is scheduled to vote on the plan on June 16 as part of the annual budget process.