Lay-Offs

There are many teachers, counselors, nurses, and librarians getting laid off, mostly teachers. The economy is really bad right now. The school district doesn’t have enough money. There are several teachers that had a pink slip here in Nightingale about having to be laid off. I asked some questions to Mr. Meyerhof about the lay-offs and this is what he answered.
How many teachers are getting laid off?
-3,600 teachers, counselors, nurses, and librarians in the LA School District and 10 at Nightingale. ½ of all the 6th grade teachers who received a note was out librarian.
2. What happens to the students if their teachers are gone?
-They may have teachers who never taught at Nightingale including assistant principals from other schools. They may also have a teacher who doesn’t speak or understand Spanish. Luckily at Nightingale we receive QEIA money which allows us to lower class to 23 in 8th grade, 25 in 7th and 6th grade, but at other middle schools, class size will go to 37 students in a class and in high school, 43 students in a class.
3. Why are they getting laid off?
-The Superintendent Ramon Cortines and the other LAUSD School Board have decided that the classroom, the students, and the teachers are less important than consultants (people who give advice and training about different subjects) who cost the District $200 million, the TV station ($20 million) and the Periodic Testing ($50 million). All of the money together could save most of the jobs in the LA District.
4. Is there anything students can do to prevent teachers from getting laid off?
-Students can join the “Save Our School” club which meets every Friday at lunch in the auditorium, participate in the marches in front of the school. You can also write letters to the Superintendent and the School Board to ask them to stop the layoffs and bring the teachers and the staff back. Most of the layoffs could be stopped if the contract is approved. We voted on April 7th, 8th, and 9th. The teachers, counselors, the library, and substitutes voted, we will get at 6% pay cat to help save jobs, but more money is needed for our school.
By: Eileen C.