Irvine Teachers Protest Possible Cuts in Staffing, Noted Programs

Faced with the possibility of layoffs and the demise of highly regarded art, music and science programs, about 300 teachers in the Irvine Unified School District dressed in black for a twilight demonstration Tuesday against pending cuts.

“Our professionalism is on the line here,” Gail Rothman, president of the Irvine Teachers Assn., told the gathering. “Do we accept everything the district offers us? No.”

Teachers felt “slapped in the face” by the district’s proposal to increase class size and teaching time, cut support staff and preparation time, and eliminate the highly regarded programs, Rothman said.

To illustrate what they see as the demise of Irvine Unified as a lighthouse guiding educational innovation, the teachers lined up along the shore of Woodbridge Lake, then turned out the flashlights they were holding, one at a time. Then they dispersed to reassemble for a public forum at Woodbridge High School.

District officials would not comment on the demonstration but said they are hopeful that teachers will not have to be laid off.

“You want to be optimistic, but we aren’t at the point where we can reassure people,” Deputy Supt. Dean Waldfogel said.

The district faces a budget shortfall of about $4 million for the 2000-01 school year. Officials had hoped to raise revenue with a parcel tax of $95 a year on residential and commercial property, but voters narrowly rejected the tax in November. The proposal was approved by 62% of voters, but 66% was needed to pass it.

On April 11, the district will try to win voter approval for a modified version of the tax, this time exempting senior citizens. If the tax is defeated again, 100 teaching positions will be cut, officials say, and many popular school programs will be eliminated.

“If the public speakers at the recent board meeting are any indication, some people who failed to get out to vote last time in favor of it will be active, and some people who were opposed to it last time will still be opposed to it,” Waldfogel said.

Tuesday night’s demonstrators said that, while they are aware of the district’s financial problems, they had hoped for a better relationship between the school board and teachers.

“Right now, that’s not really happening,” said Scott Bedley, a third-grade teacher. “They need to first work with the teachers to find a solution.”

The teachers said Tuesday’s demonstration was the first in a series that they hope will rally the community to their cause. In coming weeks, organizers said, they plan to demonstrate at Woodbridge High School, the district offices and at busy city intersections to let people know that their economic survival is on the line.

“Our jobs are gone without that parcel tax,” said Laura Busch, who began teaching second grade this year. “I may have to leave. I hope I don’t.”

* ORANGE SICKOUT

Teachers at several Orange Unified School District campuses are expected to call in sick today, to protest a contract impasse. B4