ORANGE : Schools to Lay Off 34 in Plan to Cut Budget

The Orange Unified School District this week approved the first phase of its plan to cut $3.3 million from its $103-million budget, as the school board voted to eliminate 27 classified and seven assistant administrative jobs.

The classified employees will receive layoff notices of 30 days beginning immediately. Certificated employees, including teachers and school administrators, will receive a March notice.

The district intends to cut 10 more classified positions and 15 certificated staff spots within the next six months, saving the district about $2.3 million. So far, district officials say, there are no teacher layoffs in store.

Although 59 jobs will be eliminated, district officials estimate that all but about four employees will be reassigned within the district, filling positions left open through attrition or early retirement.

The board voted 6 to 1 to cut four assistant principals, one from each high school, and the district coordinators for technology, outreach and the school improvement program. The assistant administrators will be reassigned to classroom teaching slots and take a pay cut of nearly $11,000. Board member Nancy Moore opposed the action.

The board also voted 5 to 2 to cut four classified management spots and 23 staff positions that include clerks, secretaries, custodians and grounds workers. Board members Jeff Holstien and John Hurley opposed the layoff resolution after Becky Mayers, union representative for Local 67 of the Classified Employees Union, protested that the district administration had changed the list of layoffs without consulting the union.

Mayers said she had not been notified that one less management position would be cut, and she complained that the rank-and-file workers were being hit the hardest by layoffs.

“These are hard times, and I would prefer not to be talking about any employees losing their jobs,” Mayers said, “But I will not allow the classified-employee bargaining unit to carry the brunt of these cuts.”

Supt. Norman C. Guith said that the district considered input from the public and the unions before finalizing the layoffs.