The Santa Ana (California) Unified School Board has approved the layoffs of nearly 300 employees.
NBC Los Angeles reports that the board vote came after Associate Superintendent Ron Hacker presented the board details of the district's financial situation--a $187 million budget deficit and the ending of Covid relief funds.
Those against the layoffs were upset by the vote, pointing out that the superintendent makes $450,000 a year and is slated to get a raise, yet teachers and counselors are being cut.
"It's bad leadership and who pays the price at the end of the day our children and our families," said Valerie Amezcua. Mayor of Santa Ana.
Hacker says Santa Ana is one of many districts facing budget problems because of Covid relief funds ending, and says they too will be forced to make difficult decisions.
"We have the highest rate of declining enrollment in Orange County," said Hacker. "And the impact pandemic hit us deeply, but all districts are facing this."
The union that represents educators in Santa Ana says it isn’t over; it will be working to get the board to rescind their vote and keep those jobs.
