Sacramento school district votes to lay off 12 teachers. More ‘difficult decisions’ ahead

The Sacramento City Unified School District laid off 12 teachers Thursday night in an attempt to begin addressing a $27 million budget gap.

One foreign language teacher, three physical education teachers, three adult education teachers, two social studies teachers, two computer teachers and one resource teacher were laid off.

Due to the district’s longstanding budget problems, officials earlier cited the need to reduce 82 full-time-equivalent positions and notices were sent to 17 certificated staff members warning of possible layoffs after the district identified vacancies and attrition.

Ultimately, the district approved 12 layoff notices with a 6-1 vote. Board member Mai Vang voted against the layoffs.

Final notices will be sent by May 15. But district officials said these notices could be rescinded if the district sees additional attrition or receives additional funding.

“Anytime we have to make a decision like this, it is heart wrenching,” said board president Jessie Ryan.

Public comments from Sacramento City Teachers Association members came in through the meeting, held on the online platform Zoom, urging board members to vote against the layoffs.

“That you would pursue this same path in the midst of a global pandemic, which will likely necessitate MORE not fewer teachers and support staff to protect the safety and well-being of our entire school community, is not just head-scratching, it is appalling,” Lori Jablonski, a C.K. McClatchy High teacher, said in a prepared statement.

District officials also reacted to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s announcement that California will have a $54.3 billion budget deficit due to the coronavirus pandemic. The cuts included $18.3 billion to K-12 schools and community colleges, serving a “devastating” and “mind blowing” hit on the district, officials said.

Sacramento City Unified Superintendent Jorge Aguilar called the announcement “grim.”

“As we move through this health crisis, our schools have stepped up to fill in the gaps for children in a way that can only be described as extraordinary – quickly designing and adjusting to distance education, providing nutrition support, securing devices and internet, and more,” Aguilar said in a statement. “Despite these efforts, they’re not enough, and we will need to do more to meet our students’ needs. Our children need us now more than ever, but we anticipate some very difficult decisions over the next few months with effects that will expand beyond this crisis.”

While the district is expected to receive more than $500,000 in state relief funds and $16 million in federal funds, district officials predict that the cuts will ultimately cause them to run out of cash.

Aguilar said it was too soon to know with certainty, but district Chief Business Officer Rose Ramos said the district could run out of cash and fall into state takeover by May 2021.

This story was originally published May 8, 2020 at 8:49 AM.