Modesto schools: 400 layoff notices going out

[The Straight Story]

Modesto schools: 400 layoff notices going out

MODESTO, CA --The Modesto City Schools Board of Education voted to send preliminary layoff notices to several hundred teachers and staff.

On a vote of 6 to 1, the board Monday night approved the layoff notification for 301 teachers and nearly 100 counselors, nurses, librarians and administrative staff, said school district spokeswoman Emily Lawrence.

By law, the preliminary notices must be sent out on March 15, with final layoff decisions made by May 15. Between now and May, the district and the teachers union will be negotiating possible concessions, according to Lawrence.

The district recently surveyed the community and staff on ways to cut the budget. Among the ideas offered: increasing class size, eliminating summer school, laying off teachers, putting off the purchase of new textbooks, eliminating field trips and school assemblies, and going to a traditional school calendar.

The district is facing $25 million in budget cuts due to reduced state funding and declining enrollment.

http://www.news10.net/news/story.aspx?storyid=76403&catid=2

[LakeSamish706]

1. That will devestate these people no doubt. I don't know why they don't raise

taxes in this state, especially on those that can afford it?

[Bluebear]

2. But let's keep funding war and Wall Street. nt

[dana_b]

3. yep! war and funding the rich is good

funding education and jobs - bad.

[alp227]

4. Meanwhile, prisons are looking for more convicted criminals and big bodies to guard them.

I cannot stand to see California running over public schools with the yellow bus. Thursday, March 4 is the mass protest against budget cuts. I can't wait!

[inna]

5. Do you have any info on this?

First time I heard this. (Ususally I get email notifications, etc.)

I'd like to take part in this (too bad it's on a work day, but I might still do something...)

[Echo In Light]

6. +1