PASADENA, Cali. (DDN) – Over 150 teachers, many of whom lost their homes in the Eaton Fire, will lose their employment when Pasadena Unified School District board members reduce spending for the coming school year.
The resolution was approved by a vote of 6 to 1 during an hour-long meeting Thursday night.
Before the vote, one school board representative told KTLA’s Rachel Menitoff that while it is a difficult decision, the need for cuts predates the fires.
It is the result of a $37 million deficit prior to COVID and may be required to keep the school district operating for a variety of reasons.
As a result, the school system said that it will slash $12 million this year.
“It’s always the same thing, ‘We overspent. We don’t have any money, and what will we do? Oh, we’ll just cut teachers,’” said 2nd grade teacher Karina Evans.
Officials blame the need for cuts on dwindling enrollment, increased expenditures in many California schools, and the expiration of COVID-19 emergency funding.
The School District issued the following statement Friday morning: “To minimize classroom disruption, cuts are focused on the central office, and we are committed to supporting affected employees. We deeply appreciate our staff’s dedication and recognize the impact of this decision. Our priority remains providing a high-quality education for every student.”
Read More – 5 Cities Where Car Accidents Are Most Common; So Drive Carefully
Jonathan Gardner, president of the Pasadena Teachers Union, told KTLA about an alternative solution he would like to see the board consider.
“In the last five years, the unrestricted outside contractors has grown from $10 million to $30 million,” said Gardner. “They’re talking about $37 million over the course of the next three years, that right there would cut enough that we wouldn’t need to cut any teachers.”
Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco stated that some of the places on the ‘chopping block’ are currently vacant, while others may be moved based on seniority.
Teachers with limited contracts, such as Bryan Strehl, who has only one year of teaching experience, are particularly vulnerable.
“At the end of this school year, I’m done, my job is done,” said Strehl. “I have to reapply and re-interview, and start the process over with.”
If the board approves this request, the law requires that primary layoff letters be sent out by March 15 and decisions be finalized by May.
Reference: Pasadena Unified School District votes to layoff 150+ teachers
Leave a Reply