133 Saddleback teachers to get final layoff notices
The district rescinds 35 layoffs, including two for teachers whose credentials and seniority matched a colleague whose layoff had been lifted.
By LINDSEY BAGUIO and SCOTT MARTINDALE
MISSION VIEJO – Saddleback Valley Unified officials will begin issuing final layoff notices to 133 teachers today as the district works toward cutting $19.3 million from its budget this fall in response to anticipated state cutbacks.
The school board on Tuesday night unanimously voted to notify the 133 certificated teachers that their services won't be needed in the coming year – 35 fewer than those who received the tentative "reduction in force" notices in March. The notices will all go out by Thursday, as required by state law.
Of the 35 rescissions, 33 were possible because of retirements and resignations over the past few months, district officials said. Additionally, the school board on Tuesday granted rescissions to two teachers who have the same seniority dates and credentials as a colleague whose layoff notice was rescinded, said Assistant Superintendent of Personnel Jennifer Huff. Francine Kim of Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate School and Janice Dove, an elementary music teacher, will be reinstated.
The layoffs were approved with little discussion from board members and the public.
Saddleback previously notified 53 temporary teachers that their one-year employment contracts would not be renewed.
The school district is among 16 out of Orange County's 28 to plan for teacher cuts in response to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's plan to cut $4 billion from money that K-12 schools are entitled to receive next year under the Prop. 98 funding formula. Although the layoff notices must be finalized by Thursday, districts can rehire teachers if the state's budget situation improves over the summer.
Among Saddleback's planned cuts are the eliminations of the district's rigorous International Baccalaureate program and a cultural geography course that is required of all high school freshmen.
In the first through third grades, class sizes will be increased to about 30 students from 20, although half the day will still be spent in classes of 20. The class-size reduction program is so popular among elementary school parents that several school groups are fundraising to save it; they have until June 1.
Contact the writer: 949-454-7394 or smartindale@ocregister.com
By LINDSEY BAGUIO and SCOTT MARTINDALE
MISSION VIEJO – Saddleback Valley Unified officials will begin issuing final layoff notices to 133 teachers today as the district works toward cutting $19.3 million from its budget this fall in response to anticipated state cutbacks.
The school board on Tuesday night unanimously voted to notify the 133 certificated teachers that their services won't be needed in the coming year – 35 fewer than those who received the tentative "reduction in force" notices in March. The notices will all go out by Thursday, as required by state law.
Of the 35 rescissions, 33 were possible because of retirements and resignations over the past few months, district officials said. Additionally, the school board on Tuesday granted rescissions to two teachers who have the same seniority dates and credentials as a colleague whose layoff notice was rescinded, said Assistant Superintendent of Personnel Jennifer Huff. Francine Kim of Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate School and Janice Dove, an elementary music teacher, will be reinstated.
The layoffs were approved with little discussion from board members and the public.
Saddleback previously notified 53 temporary teachers that their one-year employment contracts would not be renewed.
The school district is among 16 out of Orange County's 28 to plan for teacher cuts in response to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's plan to cut $4 billion from money that K-12 schools are entitled to receive next year under the Prop. 98 funding formula. Although the layoff notices must be finalized by Thursday, districts can rehire teachers if the state's budget situation improves over the summer.
Among Saddleback's planned cuts are the eliminations of the district's rigorous International Baccalaureate program and a cultural geography course that is required of all high school freshmen.
In the first through third grades, class sizes will be increased to about 30 students from 20, although half the day will still be spent in classes of 20. The class-size reduction program is so popular among elementary school parents that several school groups are fundraising to save it; they have until June 1.
Contact the writer: 949-454-7394 or smartindale@ocregister.com
Labels: California, layoffs, Orange County, Saddleback
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