Teacher Layoffs Considered in L.A.

The Los Angeles Unified School District will need to bridge a projected $421-million budget shortfall in the 2003-04 school year with possible teacher layoffs, library reductions and other cuts, according to a preliminary projection issued Wednesday by Supt. Roy Romer’s office.

In response to the state’s financial crisis, proposed reductions next year of $319 million would require layoffs of an unspecified number of teachers and academic counselors, maintenance delays and cutbacks in integration and bilingual programs, according to the report on the district’s proposed $5.8-billion general fund budget.

Another $70 million would come from reserves and an additional $32 million could be cut later, depending on the state budget.

Despite union demands, there are no provisions for salary increases or for reversing this year’s increase in class sizes in middle and high schools.

“In general, it’s going to be a very difficult year and it’s going to hurt. We just have to suck it up until we get into better times,” said Supt. Roy Romer from Washington, where he was at a meeting of the California congressional delegation. “We don’t have the money for teacher raises. I’m desperately fighting not to cut teachers. I’m trying to protect teachers.”

The early peek at L.A. Unified’s continuing financial woes comes ahead of a board vote later this month on $79 million in separate reductions for the current year. Those would be on top of $430 million in cuts made earlier this year.

Joe Zeronian, L.A. Unified’s chief financial officer, said the district’s fiscal condition would remain uncertain and could change dramatically as the state outlook becomes clearer and Board of Education members weigh in on the plan.

The board will decide on next year’s spending in a series of votes that may last until September, he said.

“We just do not know when the state budget is going to be adopted and fixed and definitive,” Zeronian said.

As they did last year, district budget officials have produced a smorgasbord of proposals for reductions in school programs and central office functions from which the board can choose.

Administration costs would be cut by $45 million, including possible layoffs. Another item would save $8 million by cutting library aides’ hours in half. Another proposal would save $4.8 million by slowing the districtwide implementation of arts education programs. Managers would take unpaid three-day furloughs to save $1.2 million.

Zeronian said only $40 million has been included to cover health coverage cost increases that are estimated to be twice that amount.

Board member Jose Huizar called the proposals arbitrary and vague.

“It’s a random wish list of cuts with no rhyme or reason,” said Huizar, who said he wanted more guidance from the superintendent on how the recommended reductions would affect vital educational programs. “It doesn’t give us information or analysis of the impact of these cuts.”

School board President Caprice Young criticized the budget proposal, saying Romer “needs to do a better job supporting school site personnel.”

But Young, who will leave office by June 1, said state finances have created a difficult situation.