Taft Midway Driller - News

Three custodians also face layoffs. Those steps are part of the plan laid out by new Supt. Mike Brusa in the face of a budget cut that could be nearly & 036;2 million if Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger gets his way. The proposals would shave & 036;1.3 million from next year's budget. Brusa's budget-cutting recommendations also include having the district take over some of the special education services for severely handicapped students that have been provided by the county. That would result in a savings of & 036;752,000, he calculates, the single biggest item.

Staggering school start times to maximize transportation staff time would save another & 036;50,600. Mike Wooley, president of the classified union, isn't happy with the proposed cuts, but said he understands the seriousness of the district's fiscal dilemma. We could be losing three full-time custodial positions," he said. They also are considering several library resource positions.

We'll be sending out a seniority list. It's tough times. That's unfortunate, but the district is in terrible shape." He is pleased that classified staff received a two percent salary increase. Teachers also are receiving a two percent raise, but it is a one-time off the salary schedule increase unlike the raise classified received. The non-retention letters to 11 teachers and interns is a routine practice, Brusa said.

The district still does not know the extent of the budget cuts because the state legislature has not acted on the governor's proposed 10 percent across-the-board recommendation, which was not well received by the lawmakers. Comments Comments are limited to 200 words or less.

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