News

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Districts’ reduction in force notices issued prior to March 15 deadline

By law, the reduction-in-force notices, commonly referred to as layoffs, must be made by March 15 of every year. The RIFs must be issued when a school districts’ budget for the coming year indicates a possible surplus of teaching staff. A reduction in force may be needed because of declining enrollment, lack of funds, elimination of positions, or other reasons.

On March 2, 2010, our board of education made the difficult decision to issue 45 precautionary reduction-in-force (RIF) notices to probationary and permanent teachers. Then again, on March 9, the difficult decision was made to cut 10.22 FTEs (full-time equivalents) from the districts’ Child Development Program due to budgetary issues. As resignations and retirements are received and approved by the board of education, it will allow the districts to rescind RIF notices.

The board will hold a special meeting tomorrow, Friday, March 12, 2010, to approve the reduction in particular kinds of services, specifically two child development coordinators.

Also, at tomorrow’s special meeting, the board will be asked to approve a proposal to continue the districts’ outreach coordinator and consultant position. The position was funded through February 28, 2010. Interim funds are being used to continue to the position through March 2010. The Bower Foundation has offered to contribute $30,000-$40,000 to support the position, provided the district allocates a matching contribution. The board will consider the proposal at tomorrow’s meeting.

The board meeting will begin at 4:00 p.m., Board Room, Santa Barbara School Districts, 720 Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara.