Few Reductions Outlined in Latest School District Budget

Earlier this month, school officials notified a music teacher that the position may be eliminated. And trustees also decided Thursday to send layoff notices to 1.75 full-time equivalent English Language Learner teachers.

Those were the only pink slips the  sent its educators by March 15, the state education code's deadline to notify teachers of possible layoffs.

The music job was funded this year by donations from the Livermore Valley Education Foundation. The organization is raising funds to keep the position from being eliminated.

On Tuesday, trustees adopted the district's second interim budget report, which shows the district avoiding financial red up to 2012.

Times must be good in Livermore schools, right?

Not so fast.

Officials say the only reason the district appears to be in good financial standing is because trustees in previous years made deep cuts that still are being felt at all schools.

Trustee Stewart Gary said that's been the case since he and Chuck Rogge were elected to the board in 2008.

"We've been cutting forever," he said.

Superintendent Kelly Bowers said the previous district cuts were "to the jugular."

District leaders decided that staff reductions this year would be a last resort. Further layoffs were avoided through an enhanced retirement package accepted by 24 teachers at the high end of the salary scale.

One such teacher retiring saves the jobs of two or three teachers at the bottom of the seniority list, Bowers said.

Sending layoff notices when the outcome of the state budget is unknown sends the wrong message, according to Bowers.

"There would be a lack of morale," she said. "It's not ideal for our staff and students."

Livermore Education Association President Shelley Fields Tejeda said the union is thankful that the district didn't send too many notices about possible layoffs.

"Before, teachers were avoiding the lunch room because they didn't want to engage with their colleagues on whether they heard anything (about layoffs)," she said. "It was stressful and demoralizing. Teachers had to pretend everything was fine. They still got in the classrooms and presented their best selves and lessons even when they were thinking about how they were going to support their family."

The lack of pink slips this year made a difference.

 "Across the district there was a sigh of relief that could be heard," Tejeda said.

Livermore educators are safe this year but the future remains sketchy.

Much of the district's funding hinges on a that will ask voters in June to extend taxes set to expire this summer.

In addition, district officials likely will have to count on the community supporting another parcel tax.

"I’m scared of the disappointments that will hit if we don’t have the special election in June and don't garner support locally for a parcel tax," Tejeda said.

The district's budget is $108 million.