LongBeachReport.com | LBReport.com | LB School Board Authorizes Potential Layoff Notices To 700+ Teachers, Librarians, Counselors, Cuts To Multiple School Programs IF...

(Feb. 16, 2011, updated 3:30 p.m.) -- In an action enabling LBUSD management to cut over 700 teachers plus counselors/librarians of layoffs in June end a number of school programs in September, LBUSD's School Board voted (5-0) on Feb. 15 to authorize sending notices of potential layoffs ("Reduction in Force" letters) to 777.5 LBUSD certificated employees (most of whom are teachers, but also include librarians, counselors and others) and authorized cuts to multiple programs.

LBUSD management says some of the layoffs/cuts could be restored if voters statewide extend current taxes (that voters previously voted to reject).

The 777.5 figure is an increase of about 25% above the number of layoff-notices initially requested by management three weeks earlier (Boardmembers didn't ask and management didn't explain the increase). The total now includes 345 (FTE's/full time equivalent employees) in elementary school services, 64 in middle school services, 118 in high school services, 10 in career technical education and 83 in districtwide programs.

To view the revised list in detail (distributed at the Board meeting) of certificated employee positions affected (unless taxes are extended or Sacramento comes up with some other option), click here and here.

LBUSD also distributed a revised version of cuts to multiple school serivces/programs...but preserve specialized high school programs (PACE, CIC, QUEST, Wilson Classical) and campus security officers by shifting funding to restricted funds.

To view the revised list of affected services/programs, click here. (Note: Items 2 and 4L were preserved using restricted funds).

The roughly $32 million in cuts are on top of $27 million in cuts approved by the School Board on Feb. 1. LBUSD acknowledges on its website that "this month's [Feb. 2011] cuts will will affect almost every aspect of K-12 education here in California’s third largest school district."

LBUSD provides these documents on its website:

Budget Reduction List (pdf)

Budget Reduction Presentation (PowerPoint)

Certificated Layoff Resolution (pdf)

Certificated Layoff Categories List (pdf)

Layoff Tie Breaker List (pdf)

As previously reported by LBReport.com, on Feb. 1 LB the School Board and management indicated that 429 teaching positions (included among the 777 FTEs) won't be restored even if statewide voters approve extending current taxes.

The Board's Feb. 15 action authorized roughly $30 million in cuts...and more "worst case" cuts are expected in the coming weeks at upcoming School Board meetings...including cuts to non-certificated (classified) school employees.

LBUSD management indicated during the meeting that even with the latest cuts, its worst-case scenario "just got even worse.

[LBUSD website text]
Unfortunately, even with the latest cuts, the school district’s worst-case scenario just got even worse.

In its recent worst-case calculations, Long Beach Unified had assumed that its funding would be cut by about $634 per student if the state’s voters reject the tax extensions. Since those calculations, however, the state’s non-partisan Legislative Analyst Office has determined that schools would lose roughly $760 per student. If the tax extensions are approved, the school district would lose only about $19 per pupil.

An overflow crowd of parents, teachers and school employees came to LBUSD's WLB HQ to attend the meeting. Attendees who exceeded the room's capacity watched on TV from the building's cafeteria (below).

The audience watched quietly, applauding politely as over a dozen speakers voiced concerns for their children. Several teachers spoke of the importance of various school programs (computer, health, sports). LBUSD management delivered a Power Point presentation, which indicated that LBUSD may face continuing deficits (spending exceeding expected revenue) even after the current cuts.

LBUSD telecast screen save

School Board member John McGinnis described the cuts as "abhorrent," and commented that actions were likely especially difficult for his fellow Boardmembers who'd help build the programs they were now voting to cut.

The Board voted without dissent to approve LBUSD management's requested budget reductions. Audience members left quietly..

The LB School Board's action parallels "worst case" actions taken by other school districts. In Los Angeles (on the same day as LBUSD's School Board action), LASUD's School Board approved a "doomsday" budget that includes thousands of potential layoff notices plus class size increases and cuts to school programs. LA's meeting was less tranquil and its Board's approval came amid some dissents (5-2 vote).

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