Layoffs

Layoff database: Nearly 350 teachers get their jobs back

Fermin Leal and Scott Martindale, The Orange County Register Nearly 350 teachers and other certificated school staff members have regained their jobs, either thanks to a layoff warning that wasn't finalilzed or via rehiring by their districts after they received their final notice. That brings the amount of certificated staff to elude layoffs up to 40 percent, with some districts still to report their actions since layoff warnings were issued March 15. Still, that leaves about 1,100 temporary teachers and scores of classified employees facing job losses. In all, our partial list has more than 2,259 employees who faced termination or hour reductions at some point in school budgeting efforts…

Teacher columnist's layoff rescinded

Column: Carol Veravanich, The Orange County Register I do not think I complain about my salary. I am not asking for more nor am I calling for raises. I do grow tired of people saying we are overpaid, which is not the case, and I think the cuts coming to our salaries are significant. The last part of your letter really made me think. I received news today that I have a job next year, where I thought I was laid off after receiving my final notice. It is a strange year when this all happens. I am feeling relieved to have my job back and yet your last sentence about all of those people who would love to replace me really hit home. I know how true that is, as I was just one of those people a few hours ago worried about what I would do for a job next year.

Capistrano district seeks mediator to get teacher pay cuts

Scott Martindale, The Orange County Register The Capistrano Unified School District is asking a state mediator to intervene in contract negotiations with its teachers after union leaders balked at a proposed 10 percent pay cut for all educators, calling it "inflammatory and insulting." In a press release this week, Capistrano Unified officials said union leaders are unwilling to continue negotiations over the summer despite efforts to reach an agreement that would "provide relief to the district while at the same time preserve CUSD, restore teaching positions, avoid increasing class sizes and save jobs…"

O.C. schools finalize more than 1,500 teacher cuts

Fermin Leal and Scott Martindale This year, many districts are relying heavily on negotiations with unions for furlough days, salary reductions and other concessions that could pare away at their layoff numbers, officials said. Capistrano Unified, Magnolia and Anaheim Union High school districts, for example, have already rescinded dozens of notices after receiving some concessions from unions in new contracts. Capistrano Unified rescinded 38 of 84 layoff notices to tenured teachers and other certificated staff after union leaders and trustees settled a long-running contract dispute. “We are doing everything we can to retain personnel and not increase class sizes,” Capistrano Trustee Ken Lopez-Maddox said. “But the state budget is in a tailspin and we don’t yet know what it holds for public education. We are doing all we can to brace ourselves for what Sacramento might do.”

Teacher columnist receives final layoff notice

Carol Veravanich, The Orange County Register I am responding to your writer who "wonders how they [those who criticize teachers] would do spending one week in the classroom." I taught for nine years then moved to the private sector, where I worked for the next 28 years. I mean no disrespect when I state that teaching is far easier. I also wonder: Do educators really understand how their benefits compare to the private sector? We could start with tenure and continue with health benefits, vacation and sick pay, and contracted work days. Perhaps you should dedicate a column to this subject…

Landmark ruling on teacher layoffs

Column: John Festerwald, The Educated Guess - A Superior Court judge has served notice to school districts statewide that the seniority rights of teachers do not trump the fundamental right of students to an equal opportunity for a good education. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge William Highberger issued a preliminary injunction Wednesday preventing any teacher layoffs for budgetary reasons at three Los Angeles Unified middle schools where large numbers of teachers have been given pink slips…

School layoffs: More than 1,915 teachers listed

Fermin Leal and Scott Martindale, The Orange County Register Orange County school layoff warning list: Search here for teachers and other staff who have been issued layoff warning notices or who have been informed their temporary teaching contracts won't be renewed for 2010-11. School districts are beginning to make final layoff decisions, rescinding warnings sent by March 15 for some and finalizing others as the state's May 15 deadline approaches...

To cut $365 million, schools eye furloughs, short year

Fermin Leal and Scott Martindale, The Orange County Register Orange County students are likely to lose up to a week of instruction next year while classes grow ever more crowded, teachers are let go and course options shrink. Employee furloughs – up to 10 days long – have joined class-size increases and teacher layoffs as favored options for balancing 2010-11 budgets at local school districts, which need to slash $365.3 million even after consecutive years of deep cuts...