QuoteThousands of teachers across California, including San Diego and Imperial counties, are marching today. They're protesting against the wave of "pink slip" layoff notices sent to teachers as a result of the state budget crisis. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.
Teachers say its déjà vu all over again.
Last year the state's money problems also prompted a flurry of layoff notices.
But school district officials say the recession is making the situation worse this year.
In the Poway Unified School district, more than 260 teachers will get the layoff notices. Sweetwater Union High School District is notifying more than 100 teachers.
And in Calexico, another 100 are getting tentative pink slips.
Carmen Durazo is a Calexico teacher and union leader.
She says the cuts will be devastating their students, most of whom come from poor, immigrant families and are learning to speak English.
"It is just totally un acceptable," Duranzo said. "Our governor and the people in our Legislature that are supposed to be representing us don't get it. The future of California is in the hands of our children that we are educating. And we cannot educate them without any money."
Calexico teachers plan to march through downtown Calexico. Elsewhere, banners will be placed on freeway overpasses across San Diego County.
http://www.kpbs.org/news/local?id=14105
I absolutely find it maddening that when the budget has to be cut, education seems to be the first item to suffer. The future of our country depends on education. There must be another way.
The school district that my daughter is in, took a voluntary one day furlough this year, so that the district wouldn't need to lay off any teachers/personnel for this school year. However, next year, it appears that the budget is going to be even tighter and as a result a voluntary furlough isn't going to be an option.
My daughter is so upset by the prospect of losing her teacher (who I understand has already received her pink slip for the next school year) that she has written an outstanding letter to the Governor. I think it's pretty mature for an 11 year old. Is it ironic that the letter is written in the pro/con format that her teacher recently taught them?
We are going through that too. There is a hiring freeze and anyone with a terminating contract is toast. These are people who wok 80% or less or started after the first day of school. All of these new teachers who moved here from out of state are freaking out and with good reason.
I fully expect to start the school year out with around 30 kids in my class next year. Our state is going to increase class size to save on teacher spending. What can I do? I have a job! :-\
Sandy: Is it possible that some of the economic problems faced by these districts are being caused by some of their patrons: the financial drain of families moving into the area who don't already speak English? Just curious.
I think that could have a little to do with it, but in my own personal experience, I think it is the extensive salaries that are obtained by administration and central office personnel. They have created jobs for each other and have 6 digit salaries to go along with these made up positions. I think if we added up the salaries for our superintendent and the numerous area superintendents beneath him, you could staff most of a school. Ridiculous! :rolleyes:
I can relate to that: too many chiefs, and not enough Indians.
This is all public knowledge!! I wish I made this much! The average starting salary in North Carolina is $30K. These salaries are just about equivalent to 33 brand new teacher's salaries! :rolleyes:
$265,704.36 Superintendent Superintendent - 905
$121,821.00 Area Superintendent Eastern Wake County - 906
$127,671.00 Area Superintendent Southern Wake County - 906
$117,000.00 Area Superintendent Northern Wake County - 906
$123,321.00 Area Superintendent Central Wake County - 906
$116,000.04 Area Superintendent South Central Wake County - 906
$117,000.00 Area Superintendent Western Wake County - 906