LOS ANGELES—The Los Angeles Board of Education has approved a plan to send out layoff notices to nearly 2,300 teachers, though the district superintendent says he is seeking alternatives to solve its budget crisis.

The board approved the cutbacks Tuesday as the Los Angeles Unified School District faces a budget shortfall of up to $400 million. Superintendent Ramon Cortines says no layoff notices will be sent until he is sure they are needed.

He says he will meet with the board later and issue a final recommendation.

The teachers who may be laid off this school year are untenured teachers with the least seniority.

District officials say the cuts could save the district more than $137 million over a full year.

The district, the nation's second largest, has about 45,000 classroom teachers