KKFX San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, Santa Barbara - News-Layoff Notices Delivered, Reality Sinks in for Teachers
Member Center:
3/6/09
ATASCADERO -- The harsh reality of the state budget crisis is really setting in for hundreds of local teachers.
This week, many of them received pink slips.
Between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties, about 500 teachers are expected to receive layoff notices by March 15th.
About 180 teachers in San Luis Obispo County are expected to receive notices. The superintendent of the Atascadero Unified School District has already personally delivered several pink slips.
Unlike years past, many fear the teachers will not be hired back in the fall. Another shock is that newer teachers are not the only ones received the bad news.
Shauna Ames has taught sixth grade at Monterey Road Elementary School in Atascadero for six years. She received a pink slip a few days ago.
"I'm very very upset about it," said Ames. "I really feel like it might not work in my favor like it had when I was temporary because the budget is just so different and so grim."
At Atascadero Junior High School, layoffs will likely mean the end of popular elective courses like drama and art.
On Friday, students walked the track, jumped rope and played basketball to raise money for their school. They got pledges, then exercised for an hour.
In all they earned about $7000, which will be spent on things like athletic transportation.
Superintendent John Rogers says the Atascadero Unified School District is focused on allocating the money they are receiving in a way that ensures the highest quality education possible.
According to the Santa Barbara County Office of Education, more than 300 teachers are set to receive layoff notices by the March 15th deadline.
