Redlands Unified seeks to avoid layoffs
Lori Rhodes, superintendent of the Redlands Unified School District expects to lose $4.7 million in state funding as Sacramento contends with a multi-billion dollar budget mess.
"These are dire times for school districts right now," she said.
Rhodes is scheduled to discuss a budget reduction plan at Tuesday's School Board meeting. During the remainder of the current school year, Rhodes intends to save an estimated $1.1 million through a hiring freeze.
Over the course of next school year, Rhodes expects to continue belt-tightening efforts by leaving teaching, counseling and other positions vacant. The meeting agenda also notes a reduction in district office staffing, converting one school from year-round to a traditional calendar and upping bus and field trip fees, among other ideas.
"If we're going to have staff reductions, we are hoping to do it through attrition and layoffs," Rhodes said.
The school board is scheduled to meet in open session Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Redlands Unified Board Room, 25 West Lugonia Ave. Redlands.