First layoffs since '77 eyed for Elk Grove schools

Teachers, classified workers and library technicians in the Elk Grove Unified School District may face layoffs this fall because of the state's fiscal crisis.

The last time the district laid people off was more than 30 years ago, in 1977.

More than 200 employees may be issued pink slips as the district, like many others across the state, prepares for the worst.

But pink slips do not necessarily mean layoffs.

Superintendent Steven M. Ladd said the district won't know if it must have layoffs until after the state budget comes out, which could be anytime from June to September.

But time is of the essence. By law, the district must issue teachers' pink slips for the next school year no later than March 15. Classified workers must be notified by May 15.

And the district has until June 30 to come up with a balanced budget, while facing a preliminary projected cut of $25 million in state funding for fiscal year 2008-09, which begins July 1.

Cuts this fiscal year also are in play, but Ladd said the target dollar amount was still in flux.

"I have to plan for the worst and hope for the best," said Ladd. "It's very difficult and very painful."

"(With) the governor's draconian budget cuts, everything is on the table," said Tom Gardner, president of the Elk Grove Education Association, which represents the district's teachers. In Elk Grove, cuts could include staff layoffs and modifications to the class-size reduction program, he said.

"All programs are being looked at," Gardner said. "We're advocating for certain things, such as increasing bus and lunch fees, to keep the cuts as far away from the classroom as possible."

Ladd acknowledged that the district is looking at a number of programs, including class-size reduction, for cuts but couldn't be more specific Monday.

"(It's) disturbing to us to think about dismantling programs that are working so well," he said.

Gardner said his association expects the district to issue 50 to 100 pink slips to the most junior of teachers first – then to temporary teachers, first-year probation teachers and to second-year probation teachers. Most teachers are tenured upon their third year at Elk Grove.

Gardner said he would be surprised if second-year teachers receive pink slips.

Nancy Clifford, president of the district's AFSCME union, is preparing her people, too. The union represents 1,100 classified workers, except for instructional aides and transportation employees.

"We'll see a very large packet of reductions and layoffs before the board at the next meeting, Tuesday, March 4," Clifford said. "The district can't give notice until the board approves."

Clifford expects more than 100 people represented by AFSCME to suffer everything from having their work hours reduced to having their positions eliminated.

She said she is certain the district's library technicians will see their hours reduced from six to four a day.

Each school in the district has at least one library technician, so the reduction is expected to affect at least 60 people.

Clifford said her group has known about potential layoffs for at least three weeks.

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