LongBeachReport.com | LBReport.com | Long Beach School Board Votes To Close Two Schools, Increase Class Sizes, Cut 429 Teachers

(Feb. 2, 2011, updated text) -- In an action that will at minimum impact parents, children and teachers (with effects on home values unknown) across California's third largest school district, the LBUSD School Board voted at its Feb. 1 meeting to approve management proposed cuts that would balance the District's FY 11-12 budget with measures including closing two schools (Buffum and Burroughs Elementary), increasing class sizes (K-12 variously affected, see below) and eliminating 429 teachers (296 elementary + 133 middle/high school).

In the public interest, LBReport.com is providing extended on-demand audio of the salient Board proceedings that can be accessed 24/7 on-demand, via links below

LBUSD management said the Feb. 1 board-authorized cuts, amounting to roughly ~~$40 million~~ $27 million [figure cited Feb. 2 on LBUSD website] over two years, are needed to span what management said was an anticipated deficit (expenses exceeding revenue) of roughly $53 million (out of a General Fund of approx. $700 million over two years). The $53 million in cuts will take effect regardless of whether voters approve tax extension ballot measures, management and boardmembers said.

In addition, on Feb. 15 LBUSD management will seek Board approval for more cuts (that will take place regardless of a tax extension) AND ALSO seeks approval for roughly $155 million in further cuts that management says will be needed without a tax extension (or other revenue) but could be reversed if such revenue materializes.

The additional Feb. 15 proposed cuts are included on this list (first publicly released before a Jan. 25 Board special informational meeting. No additional Board meetings are scheduled to discuss the proposed cuts, or alternatives to them, between now and the Board's next scheduled meeting on Feb. 15.

Closure of Buffum and Burroughs Elementary Schools had been included in management's Jan. 25 list of proposed budget reductions. The Feb. 1 Board meeting included the list as an agendized action/informational item with a written management recommendation to treat the listed items as informational...but it was preceded by an agenda item changing the boundaries of Buffum/Burroughs schools contingent on board approval to close those schools. Once the board voted to approve the boundary changes, Superintendent Chris Steinhauser said the boundary changes had, in effect, closed Buffum and Burroughs (after which the Board subsequently voted to approve closure of the two schools).

Among the cuts approved by the Board on Feb. 1 are increasing the ratio of students to teachers in K-3 to 30:1 (for those currently at 25:1) and to 25:1 for those currently 20:1; increase class size grades 6-12 by two students (average class size 34:1), not planned for restoration if voters approve tax extensions. Management has proposed deeper reductions if voters don't approve the extensions, among the items for Board consideration/action Feb. 15..

Two school children (accompanied by their parents) voiced concerns about the cuts; a Poly High student asked (but received no answer) why the Board was [in his words] "cutting from the bottom and not from the top"; a school nurse described the impacts of next week's proposed coming cuts.

Teachers Ass'n of Long Beach President, Joe Boyd, said his group would work with the District to support passage of ballot measures seeking to extending taxes. In testimony on an agenda item related to layoff/job "bumping" criteria, Mr. Boyd described Sacramento's actions to date "FUBAR" [slang for "F---ed Up Beyond All Recognition"]

The board also approved a resolution authorizing cutting 621 certificated employees (described on pages 53-60 of the Board's Feb. 1 agenda, click here). (The items listed on pages 53-60 include the 429 teacher positions reported above),

To view the list of LBUSD management's proposed cuts that will be the subject of coming board actions (apart from items approved on Feb. 1) click here.

For on-demand access to audio of salient Feb. 1 portions of the LB School Board's Feb. 1, 2011 meeting, use the links below:

Management presentation, board colloquy and vote re specified items: To launch audio click here (MP3).
Teachers Ass'n LB President, management presentation, board colloquy and vote re resolution on certificated employees (listed on agenda pages 53-60): To launch audio click here (MP3).

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