VENTURA : 28 Teachers May Receive Warnings of Possible Layoffs

The board of the Ventura Unified School District will decide next Tuesday whether to notify 28 probationary teachers that they could be laid off because of budget cuts.

The decision comes less than two weeks after the district notified 63 managerial employees, including principals, vice principals and school psychologists, that they could lose their jobs or be reassigned.

In both cases, the possible layoffs are part of an effort to offset a projected budget deficit of $3.2 million in Ventura for the 1991-92 school year. Districts statewide, bracing for possible state funding cuts to public schools, are sending similar notices to employees.

The probationary teachers have all worked for the district less than a year, Assistant Supt. Richard Averett said. If the board approves sending the notices, teachers must receive them by March 15 under state law. They must be told by May 15 whether they will be terminated.

The board will also vote whether to lay off three additional probationary teachers, Averett said.

How many teachers ultimately are laid off depends on several factors, including the number of teachers who retire this school year, Averett said. So far, the district has received only two retirement notifications, he said.

Ventura Unified Education Assn. President John Gennaro said that last year nearly 90 teachers retired or left the district. Should a similar number leave this year layoffs may not be necessary.