|
|
Districts Proceeding With August 15 Layoffs Several California school boards are moving this week to issue layoff notices to teachers and other employees prior to the August 15 deadline, in the wake of funding cuts the districts will receive under the recently adopted state budget. In recent decades, California school boards have rarely (if ever) pursued the option of August layoffs for teachers. Typically, layoff notices have been issued prior to the more familiar March 15 notification deadline. However, as noted in an EdBrief article on May 29, “under Education Code section 44955.5, ‘between five days after the enactment of the state budget and August 15 of the fiscal year to which that budget act applies’ a board of trustees may initiate layoffs of permanent and probationary certificated employees. This includes employees with administrative or supervisory credentials.” “Prior to this action, a board must determine, and prove, two things:” “1. That the agency’s total revenue limit will not increase in the budget year by at least 2 percent over the prior year; and” “2. The board is of the opinion that layoffs of this nature are necessary to protect the fiscal viability of the local educational agency (LEA).” On Wednesday, the Sacramento Bee reported that the Natomas Unified School District’s board voted (on Wednesday) to lay off 59 teachers and counselors. (The Natomas school district did not issue pink slips back in May.) On Wednesday, the Merced Sun-Star likewise reported that the school board in the Atwater school district voted on Tuesday to lay off ten teachers, “bringing the total of laid off educators in the district to 30, according to the report. On Thursday, the Desert Sun in Palm Springs reported that the board of the Palm Springs Unified School District will decide on Friday whether to lay off 27 teachers. Palm Springs laid off 15 teachers in March. Several other California school districts are reportedly considering similar resolution. Action must be taken by August 15. To read the May 29 EdBrief article about the seldom-used procedure for August 15 layoffs, click on the link below: http://www.educationmediagroup.com/hr090529_Aug15Layoffs.php Editor's Note: Jeff Hudson is the editor of EdBrief and an award-winning education reporter and writer in print, radio and television media. |
|
