California state report makes recommendations on teacher layoff process
March 22, 2012 | By Adolfo Guzman-Lopez
Teachers, parents and supporters rally as the Los Angeles Unified School District board meets to consider budget cuts and layoffs.
A new report says California school districts need to change the way they lay off teachers.
The state’s Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) says the system now in place carries a high cost — in dollars, morale and teacher talent.
In the last four years, budget cuts have forced California school districts to lay off 32,000 teachers.
The Legislative Analyst says the process has significant flaws. Districts send out too many notices,
The Legislative Analyst says the process has significant flaws. Districts send out too many notices,
California Community Colleges chancellor to ask AG's office to look at college's pricing plan
California Community Colleges Chancellor Jack Scott said today he will be asking the state Attorney General's Office for an opinion on the legality of a Santa Monica College program that will allow students to enroll in a selection of higher-cost classes starting this summer.
"The Chancellor's Office has previously indicated to colleges that we believe that step would be illegal," said Scott, speaking to a group of students at Pasadena City College today. "There was an attempt to change the law which failed last year, and now Santa Monica College has chosen to go alone and do it anyway. Frankly, we
California Community Colleges head: 'Go in and make your case'
At a Pasadena City College town hall meeting today the head of the California Community Colleges spoke to about 250 students about the state's budget crisis and the "desperate situations" it has created for schools in the nation's largest higher education system.
The hour-long meeting with Chancellor Jack Scott covered a wide range of issues and seemed rather intimate despite its setting in the campus' Sexson Auditorium. With his warm Texan drawl and anecdotes, Scott tried to illustrate to students the importance of passing the tax initiative in November; how they should lobby to improve their education system; and the impact funding cuts have had on public education throughout the state.
A former legislator for 12 years, Scott urged students to to talk to their legislators and tell them what's going on in their schools. "Go to your legislators, and by the way, when a legislator says to you 'Oh, I love the community