Thousands of teachers across the state are getting layoff notices. Schools are required to let staffers know by Saturday if they might not have a job next school year. From Sacramento, Marianne Russ reports.
State Schools Superintendent Jack O’Connell estimates that including teachers, administrators and support staff, roughly 20,000 layoff notices are going out.
Governor Schwarzenegger has proposed nearly a $5 billion cut to education -- and although that’s just a starting point for budget talks, schools have to issue layoff notices as if the cuts are real.
It’s likely that many of those getting pink slips won't actually lose their jobs. That’s because Democrats -- who control the legislature -- have pledged not to cut education.
However, the state faces an $8 billion budget shortfall, and Republicans have pledged not to raise taxes. It’s likely to be many months before schools know for sure what their budgets will really look like.
