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In order to save jobs and money, Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Superintendent, Ramon Cortines, is proposing reducing the school year by six days, according a press release issued by the District. The cuts are aimed at saving a projected $90 million, claims Cortines, who says these reductions to instruction will create opportunities for staff to take furlough days, which will stave off possible layoffs and contribute to the suffering LAUSD's ability to balance the 2010-11 budget.
Superintendent Cortines recently sent a letter to the union leaders asking them to begin to engage in negotiations with the District to minimize the impact of the budget crisis on the District’s employees and students. In his letter he urged that all parties meet as soon as possible with a goal of concluding negotiations soon in order to minimize the number of layoff notices to employees. Teachers and other certificated employees must received layoff notices by March 15 for the next school year.
This year's budget approved by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the state legislature allows for the LAUSD to take as many as 5 days off the school year; additional days off, as proposed, will have to be negotiated and approved by the bargaining units within the LAUSD.
