Alhambra : Schools Weigh Payless Day
School board members said they will consider a union plan by which non-teaching employees of the Alhambra City and High School districts would work one day without pay each month, to avoid layoffs of more than 70 people.
The district approved the 70 layoffs Jan. 22 to slice $900,000 from a $1.9-million budget deficit. They take effect Feb. 22.
The proposal, which has not been voted on by union membership, could include asking administrators to forgo a day’s pay, said Jack Edmon, field representative for non-teaching employees. No date was given for union or school board votes.
A standing-room-only crowd of more than 300 students, parents, teachers and other employees implored the board Tuesday to reconsider the cuts.
Office manager Marie Lopez compared the school budget problems to that of her own household. “I know it would be a lot easier if I cut one of my kids from my family, but I would look for other alternatives,” she said, clutching her four daughters, ages 1 to 16, around her.
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