School district will send out 160 pink slips

One hundred sixty employees of Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) will receive pink slips this week in response to the state's more than $8 billion in cuts to public education.

The Conejo Valley School Board voted unanimously last week to send layoff notices to 160 employees before the state's March 13 notification deadline. Of that number, 75 are full-time teachers.

Jeff Baarstad, deputy superintendent of business services, said nearly $10 million needs to be cut from the CVUSD budget and between $1.2 million and $3.2 million will come from "hard cuts." After last year's budget slashing, that means the majority of the new cuts will need to come from laying off employees.

Although 160 pink slips are being issued, considerably fewer employers will be dismissed. But with the state deadline looming, the district had to give notice to everyone being considered.

"There's a potential for about 40 to 60 certificated and classified positions to be eliminated, but that remains to be seen," Baarstad said. "We are really trying to minimize that number because it's such a difficult environment for people to find another job. Frankly, we think we have a responsibility to keep as many people as we can employed as part of the effort to help the economy."

The district is still working on the 2009-10 budget, and a 4 p.m. study session is planned for the district office on Mon., March 16. Pink slips can be rescinded before May 15, the next state deadline.

"We can't be a oneschool district stimulus plan, but every job lost hurts the economy further," Baarstad said. "If it was just our district experiencing difficulties, we might take a different approach. But our people are likely going to have a tough time finding another job, especially in education."

The layoffs were determined by seniority, and Baarstad said the newer teachers were prepared.

Employees to be given pink slips will be informed by their supervisors or principals before receiving the letter.