San Mateo County Times

San Mateo County teachers again brace for pink slips

By Neil Gonzales
February 25, 2009

For a second straight year, teachers in San Mateo County and across the state are bracing for layoff notices in the thousands because of state budget cuts and the economic downturn.

The Redwood City School District, alone, faces the possibility of laying off about 60 teachers, according to Deputy Superintendent John Baker.

"It's very difficult to do," Baker said Wednesday. "You're dealing with people's livelihood here. This is devastating."

Districts statewide have until March 15 to issue certificated employees notices informing them that they could lose their jobs. Districts have until May 15 to rescind some or all those notices.

Under a similar budget crunch last year, districts issued about 10,000 notices to members of the Burlingame-based California Teachers Association with some 5,000 educators ultimately being laid off, according to Mike Myslinski, the union's spokesman.

So far this year, districts have sent out more than 14,000 pink slips, according to the association, which is spearheading a March 13 protest against teacher layoffs and education cuts.

"It's a very alarming rate," Myslinski said. "Certainly, we expect it to go higher."

The budget signed last week by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger aims to close a state deficit of more than $40 billion through tax increases, spending cuts, borrowing and increased government efficiency.

It includes more than $8 billion in cuts to K-12 public schools.

The San Mateo Union High School District could issue about 20 layoff notices, according to Elizabeth McManus, associate superintendent of business services.

Today, the San Mateo Union board is expected to decide on cuts and savings worth $5.8 million, including $1.9 million in ongoing reductions.

The Sequoia Union High School District in Redwood City could lay off 20 full-time equivalent teachers with the board approving a $4.4 million cost-cutting plan for the 2009-10 academic year, Superintendent Pat Gemma said.

"We hope in reality we won't have to lay off this amount of people when the dust settles," Gemma said.

"The teachers most vulnerable to actually being laid off are those who have entered the profession more recently," said Margaret Gaston, president of the Center for the Future of Teaching and Learning, a Santa Cruz-based nonprofit think tank.

During these periods of massive layoffs, Gaston said, she has also noticed a decrease in programs that prepare teachers for their field.

"The caution we like to put forward is that when the economy turns around there will be a need to ensure we have an adequate number of qualified teachers," she said.

Districts also need to notify classified workers such as secretaries and library assistants of their possible job loss before the end of this school year.

The Redwood City district plans to inform several employees of that prospect, Baker said.

The district has been contending with possible cuts of up to $6 million.

Leaders for the Jefferson Union High School District in Daly City may have a tally on layoff notices by Tuesday, when the board is expected to vote on proposed cuts of $650,000 to $750,000 through the next academic year, Superintendent Michael Crilly said.

"We don't want to lay off anybody," Crilly said. "We want to be able to provide for our kids and keep our staff working with our kids."

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