SANTA BARBARA – Layoff notices will be given to teachers in the Santa Barbara Unified School District as it has to make $6 million worth in cuts as the district prepares for less money from the state.
Up to 60 teachers in the district will be notified of layoffs this week and the district superintendent will present his budget recommendations to the school board next Tuesday.
For the past five years, Santa Barbara Unified has cut $20.5 million from its budget. For the 2012-2013 school year, the district will need to cut another $6 million from the yearly budget of $118 million.
Superintendent Dr. David Cash said the district is looking into furlough days and permanent layoffs to make up the difference. He said telling teachers they may not be back next year is a horrible and daunting task.
"Six million dollars is a lot of money because what it translates to is peoples lives and that's the tough thing," said Dr. Cash. "There's no hidden places to tap to reduce. People who are currently working, giving their hearts and souls to kids in Santa Barbara won't be able to do that next year when the school year starts and that's not fair to kids."
The number of layoffs will depend on how many furlough days the two unions agree upon. The Teachers Association and Classified Association are in talks with the district to determine the number.
If furloughs are agreed upon, it could mean less school days for students and if teachers are laid off, class sizes will increase.
This is the sixth consecutive year teachers will be notified of layoffs. In the past, the district has found ways to keep the majority of those who received pink slips. This year it will depend on the state budget.
