A $1.3 billion tentative budget was approved Tuesday night by San Diego Unified School District trustees, but the accounting features $124.4 million in cuts that include more than 1,000 possible job losses, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
The board voted 4-0 with Trustee Michael McQuary absent.
About a dozen people spoke out against the possible job cuts at the start of Tuesday’s meeting, according to the U-T.
“Our schools need and deserve stability,” San Diego Education Association President Lindsay Burningham said. “Laying off close to 1,000 educators is not stability.”
According to the U-T, “the district is looking at cutting 1,476 employees, including 891 in positions that include teachers, counselors nurses, school psychologists and other workers whose job requires a certificate or credential.”
A larger number of district employees received layoff notices because it’s unclear how many people will actually lose employment; in May a final decision on job cuts will be made, the U-T reported.
A final budget is expected to be approved June 27, but Tuesday’s vote was important because it reflects cuts to certificated employees who, under law, must be notified by March 15 of their possible job losses.
–From Staff and Wire Reports
