SANTA PAULA : School Trustees OK Potential Layoffs

Facing budget cuts of about $500,000 for the 1991-92 school year, Santa Paula Union High School District trustees Wednesday authorized the layoff of an undetermined number of teachers and counselors.

District officials cautioned that Wednesday night’s action would not result in immediate layoffs. But they said that if the district cannot find other ways to reduce its budget, teachers and counselors could be laid off as early as May.

Whether layoffs are required or not, the district plans to send layoff notices by March 15 to teachers and counselors who could be targeted.

“It’s really unfortunate that we have to create this kind of pain for people you may not have to lay off,” said district Supt. Carolina L. Erie.

The board also met behind closed doors to determine how many people might be laid off and who would be on the list. That information was not immediately available.

There are about 57 full-time teachers in the district, which includes Santa Paula Union High School and Renaissance continuation school.

The board is considering layoffs because of reduced state education dollars, Erie said. The district’s tentative budget for 1991-92 totals $5.9 million.

She said layoffs would come only in a “worst-case scenario.” District officials hope that the financial situation will improve, Erie said. But barring that, district officials are examining other places to trim the budget, including portions that cover school supplies, clerical and maintenance jobs.