CALIFORNIA BRIEFING / LOS ANGELES
Los Angeles Unified School District Supt. Ramon C. Cortines fought for composure Thursday when discussing upcoming budget cuts.
The district must trim about $132 million from this year’s budget before July because of reduced state funding due to the economic crisis and L.A. Unified’s declining enrollment.
The district has already chopped almost $560 million this year and has issued about 2,500 preliminary layoff notices.
The school board is scheduled Tuesday to vote on the cuts, which will mainly come from more program reductions.
“I want you to know that some of the recommendations I have made . . . go against my core beliefs and values,” Cortines said, appearing to tear up.
He had to pause to regain his composure later in the meeting as well.
-- Jason Song
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
