TEACHER PINK SLIPS ASSAILED FACULTY SHOULD BE LAST TARGET IN BUDGET CUTS, PROTESTERS SAY.Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer BURBANK - Hoping to convince district officials that laying off teachers is detrimental det·ri·men·tal adj. Causing damage or harm; injurious. det  ri·men to education, more than 100 parents, teachers, students and other crowded the steps of City Hall for a Thursday afternoon rally. Though most of the 250 potential-layoff notices sent last March have been rescinded, 48 certificated teachers, nurses and counselors remain uncertain whether they will have a job come September. District officials must make a final decision by May 15. At the rally, Roosevelt Elementary School
prep. At the home of; at or by. [French, from Old French, from Latin casa, cottage, hut.] chez prep at the home of [French] Mohler said her notice has not been rescinded. She was among 50 teachers who attended a hearing earlier this week to ask an administrative law judge administrative law judge n. a professional hearing officer who works for the government to preside over hearings and appeals involving governmental agencies. They are generally experienced in the particular subject matter of the agency involved or of several agencies. to review her case. ``The district needs to think of our teachers rather than making irrational ir·ra·tion·al adj. Not rational; marked by a lack of accord with reason or sound judgment. irrational adjective Unreasonable, illogical decisions,'' Mohler said. ``There have been a few teachers who have left. Morale is still low.'' Parents and teachers have said district officials overreacted to state budget cuts. School districts were required to notify teachers by March 15 of potential layoffs. Not yet knowing the full extent of state budget cuts, Burbank district officials said they had to send out many more notices than likely will be acted on. But some parents said the action scared off good teachers. ``I think the pink-slipping of the teachers was the straw that broke the camel's back The idiom the straw that broke the camel's back is from an Arab proverb about loading up a camel beyond its capacity to move. This is a reference to any process by which cataclysmic failure (a broken back) is achieved by a seemingly inconsequential addition (a single straw). ,'' said parent and rally organizer Nikki Capshaw. ``I just decided we all need to work together, and the purpose of this rally was to look to the future. Teachers are the last place to go to make cuts.'' Outgoing school board President Richard Raad said the community needs to understand what the district is up against. Raad, along with board members Elena Hubbell and Mike McDonald Mike McDonald (born June 22, 1958 in North Hollywood, California) is a former professional American football player who played long snapper for nine seasons in the NFL. , were voted out during last month's elections. Three new members will take their place May 15, when a summary of the budget will be presented. ``We had limited information upfront from Sacramento,'' Raad said. ``We were being fiscally responsible. Hopefully, prior to May 15, we can reduce the number of layoffs even more.'' |
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