Feb. 15: LBUSD Mgm't Seeks School Board Approval For Layoff Notices To 772 Certificate-Holding Employees, Mainly Teachers; Also Proposes Cutting Multiple School Programs (Read Details) And Add'l School Employees Feb. 15 Or In Coming Weeks

429 teachers won't be reinstated regardless of Sac'to action because Board has OK'd increased class sizes; Mgm't calls other cuts "worst case" without Gov. Brown-proposed statewide tax extension ballot measure + Redevelopment phase out + ending Enterprise Zones

(Feb. 14, 2011) -- On Tuesday Feb. 15, Long Beach Unified School District management will seek elected School Board authority to send layoff notices to 772 employees holding teaching certificates (mainly classroom teachers but also including librarians, counselors and the like).

Board approval would effectively let management implement the layoffs in June if Gov. Brown's state budget proposals [or some alternative maintaining current school funding] aren't enacted. Unlike previous years, 429 of the teacher layoff notices aren't expected to rescinded; they'll be ongoing, stemming from the LB School Board's Feb. 1 vote to increase certain class sizes (details below).

In addition, LBUSD management is seeking School Board approval to cut a number of school programs that impact classroom instruction, school safety, sports, music, transportation and other services (including ending all home-to-school transportation except for legally required Special Education busing). Management proposes to cut $8.5 million in Central Office General Fund spending (and shift roughly $1.2 million in spending to restricted funds); LBUSD's website says its Central Office has already seen deep cuts in recent years.

School Board approval to cut various school programs and employees not holding teaching certificates could come at the Board's Feb. 15 meeting or at subsequent Board meetings.

Management says it could avoid implementing its "worst case scenario" in June if Governor Brown's budget proposal is approved, which seeks to maintain current levels of state funding for schools by extending taxes (requires voter approval of ballot measure not yet agreed to by state legislature), phasing out Redevelopment [opposed by LB City Council] and ending Enterprise Zones [opposed by LB City Council and LB Area Chamber of Commerce].

LBReport.com provides details of LBUSD management's proposed cuts below. They have been revised somewhat from their initial Jan. 25 release and Feb. 1 Board discussion.

An accompanying agendizing memo, signed by LBUSD Superintendent Chris Steinhauser, states in pertinent part:

The state has experienced dramatic declines in revenue due to the severe economic downturn which began in the fall of 2007 and has made extensive reductions to public education funding. Accordingly, the District faces the potential of significant budget deficits.

Governor Brown proposed a budget which relies on the success of a June initiative extending certain taxes (personal income tax, sales & use tax, and vehicle license fees) and maintaining the lowered dependent tax credit, thus providing approximately $8-$11 billion in revenue to the State. The Governor did not outline a plan for funding school districts if the proposed initiative is unsuccessful.

Accordingly, school districts are compelled to plan for two eventualities: (1) if the proposed initiative is successful, and (2) if the proposed initiative is not successful.

The budget reductions in this item embrace both scenarios including the second scenario in which it is assumed that the proposed initiative is not successful. Estimates of the negative impact on school funding in the event that the proposed initiative is not successful vary as analysts grapple with predicting how California’s elected officials will deal with the resulting dramatic shortfall in State revenues, however analysts have estimated that school districts would lose as much as $1,000 per pupil in that event. For planning purposes, LBUSD is using the estimate of $634/ADA in lost revenue as an assumption for the worst case scenario reflecting potential losses in the event of an unsuccessful initiative to extend existing taxes and fees.

In order to prepare for the potential of drastically reduced revenues, staff is engaged in identifying expenditure reductions designed to safeguard the District against being placed in a position of fiscal jeopardy.

These efforts are informed by input and suggestions from on-line budget surveys, Budget Advisory Committee, and numerous meetings held with stakeholders.

The Board may consider budget reductions and revisions in any department, division, program, or service in the District, including, but not limited to, items listed, as well as reductions in force or in hours for represented and non-represented certificated and classified positions. In addition, recommended actions of reducing unrestricted General Fund expenditures may include utilization of categorical funding, revenue enhancements, realignment of priorities, and implementation of other measures designed to safeguard the District’s fiscal health.

RECOMMENDATION:

Consider staff recommendations for budget reductions and revisions and take action as deemed appropriate.

Approved and Recommended:
Christopher J. Steinhauser

429 of the teachers receiving layoff notices aren't expected to be rehired regardless of what happens on the state budget. On Feb. 1, the School Board voted to approve management's recommendation to put more children in classes (increased class size) for grades 6-12 by an average of 3 students to 35; for grades K-3, classes are increased between 5-10 students (depending on the school) for an average of 30 students per class. (The cuts also included closing Buffum and Burroughs elementary schools, with management citing their declining enrollment)

On its website, LBUSD says it has previously cut more than $170 million in spending over the past three years. It notes that declining enrollment as worsening the District's budget problems since schools receive most of their funding based on student attendance...and LBUSD’s enrollment has dropped by roughly 14,000 students over the past decade.

LBReport.com is the only outlet where taxpayers and news consumers can hear on-demand audio of the Feb. 1 LB School Board meeting which discussed and took action on some budget issues...with others remaining for action on Feb. 15 (or thereafter). To access extended audio of portions of the Feb. 1 School Board meeting, use 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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