The Los Angeles Unified School District board approved a recommendation Tuesday that will authorize sending layoff warning notices to 609 employees by March 15. The decision comes in the wake of a report indicating the school district is facing a nearly $160 million deficit.
The board approved by a vote of 5-2 Superintendent Ramon Cortines' recommendation "to send out reduction-in-force (layoff) notices to 609 teachers and school staff," LAUSD tweeted shortly after the decision.
The item was voted on without hearing from any speakers, and also with no discussion among board members.
The district is required by California law to send warning notices to employees that may be laid off or reassigned. However, the 609 teachers, counselors and social workers who will receive notices will not necessarily be laid off, City News Service reported. The final number of layoffs will be determined as budget discussions continue.
LAUSD is currently in the midst of contract talks with the teachers' union, United Teachers Los Angeles.
Prior to Tuesday's vote, UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl commented on the proposed layoff notices in an interview with City News Service.
"There's a national civil rights movement to curb the school-to-prison pipeline,'' Caputo-Pearl said.
"Yet, LAUSD is cutting counselors and social workers. There's huge income inequality and a tremendous need for job training for adults. Yet, LAUSD is cutting Adult Education. There's 3,000 classes in the city with over 45 students. Yet, LAUSD is cutting educators to raise class size. LAUSD is simply out of step with the needs at schools.''
Following the decision, Caputo-Pearl described the district's move as a "scare tactic." He said he believes that the vote was an attempt to block the UTLA's momentum, citing the union's recent rally in downtown LA.
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Caputo-Pearl's organization seeks to reach an agreement with LAUSD that "improves learning conditions, working conditions and salary" for local educators.
"The decision is a slap in the face," he added.
A staff report states that LAUSD is facing a roughly $158.3 million deficit entering the 2015-16 school year.
