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Friday, 24 April 2009 10:34 |
A lot of hard work by Human Resources and Financial staff at the Wm. S. Hart Union High School District has resulted in good news this morning: All layoff notices have been rescinded and no Hart District teachers will be laid off for the 2009-10 school year.
Faced with a legal deadline of March 15 and budget uncertainties, the Hart District issued preliminary reduction in force notices to more than 90 teachers and counselors in March notifying them that their jobs might not be available in the fall. The district had until May 15 to issue the actual layoff notices and, earlier this week, had rescinded 62 notices.
“As we continued to re-evaluate the budget and the district’s programmatic needs, we looked for ways to maintain the district’s financial stability and still preserve all of the jobs,” explained Rochelle Neal, assistant superintendent of human resources. The decision was announced this morning as hearings were ready to get underway.
“Credit is due to our staff members, who worked very hard to come up with solutions to the budget crisis that will avoid laying off employees,” added Superintendent Jaime Castellanos. “From the beginning, the Board was resolute that, despite the budget crisis, no employee was to lose their job. We are elated that we were able to attain this goal so that all employees keep their jobs intact.”
With layoffs avoided, the district is still seeking ways to offset a projected $24 million deficit. Some potential solutions such as increased class size, reduced work year, a cap on benefits and/or across-the-board salary reductions are all subject to negotiations which are ongoing with the district’s employee unions.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Pat Willett – Community Liaison Officer – (661) 259-0033 Ext. 227
FOR RELEASE: Upon Receipt – April 24, 2009 |
