Montebello : Crowd Urges School Board to Reconsider Budget Cuts

Nearly 150 Montebello Unified School District employees, students and their parents showed up at a district budget hearing Tuesday to ask the board to reconsider proposed cuts that could mean the layoffs of more than 100 employees, including teachers, librarians, nurses and counselors.

Many were especially concerned with a recommendation to lay off 17 elementary school librarians. “Aside from teachers, librarians have the most direct contact with the students,” librarian Marlene Bell said.

Students also criticized plans to lay off almost all school nurses and guidance counselors.”I had problems at home with my parents and I could only talk to the school nurse,” Joanne Trilson, a Schurr High School senior, said tearfully.

Cutbacks in state funding and other unexpected expenses have forced the board to slash $19 million from its $135-million 1991-92 budget. Board members are expected to make their decision on budget cuts by Friday.