Los Angeles Unified Superintendent Ramon Cortines has not ruled out teacher layoffs as the school district seeks to close a nearly $900 million budget gap through the next school year.
Cortines spoke to board members at a special meeting today that focused on the district's dire financial situation. LAUSD faces a $894 million budget deficit for this year and the 2009-2010 school year.
"We are doing everything we can to minimize the impact of these cuts on classrooms but the severity of the current situation requires us to look at everything," Cortines said in a statement issued by the school district after the meeting.
CFO Megan Reilly said the district was "in survival mode."
Cortines said he would cut from administration first, with a planned 30 to 50 percent cut to Beaudry (the district's downtown headquarters) and the eight local district offices. Maintenance, custodial services and transportation could also be cut.
In a list of possible cuts, Cortines offered this final bullet point: "Potential reduction in some educational programs."
The superintendent said earlier this year that the district would not cut teaching staff, but that was before state legislators passed a budget that cuts more than $10 billion from education. Districts are struggling to respond, both in the South Bay and across the region and state.
Federal stimulus funds won't be enough to fill budget holes, education officials say.
The Board of Education will vote on layoffs and cuts March 10.
Why is it that "Teacher layoffs" is the first solution offered by the LAUSD? How about laying off some administrators or parking some of those LAUSD buses? Is it because those solutions won't get the attention of the community? Holding our kid hostage to try and get more money out of the budget is reprehensible but not a surprise.