School Board OK’s Layoff Of 155 Teachers

By: Mike Daniels, News Channel 3 Reportermdaniels@kesq.comLA QUINTA – The Desert Sands Unified School District Board of Education members unanimously gave the okay for the district if needed layoff 155 teachers.Assistant principals, counselors and other positions are also on the chopping block. A total of 211 people could be laid-off.

Indio High School teacher Richard Shapley says, “I’m disappointed but not surprised,I don’t how to solve the problem but there was just a sense of no trust”. Elementary schools would be hit the hardest with 84 teacherspossibly losing their jobs. Desert Sands School Board member Michael Duran said, “It’s a tough time and tough decisions have to be made” during Tuesday night’s meeting.

The layoffs will increase the student to teacher ratios. Right nowthere are nearly 30 students to every teacher. After the layoffs 35 students could be learning from just one teacher. Bob Holsapple, an IndioMiddle School teacher puts it in perspective, “In a regular 44 minute period, with 10 minutes or less for a lesson, it is less than 40 seconds of one-on-one instruction with each student.”

The District has a March 15th deadline to give the teachers the pink slips. The layoffs would mostly be based on seniority. District Superintendent Dr. Sharon Mcgehee said Tuesday night, “I heard the words deplorable used,I don’t think anyone would disagree, it’s not what we want to do to the students butwe have $14.8 million minimum gap to fill.” California is taking away millions of dollars in education funds, leaving the district in a bind to make up the difference.Mcgehee went on to say, “I encourage you andothers towrite your legislators, education has taken more than its fair share andwe can’t stand anymore.”

District officials say the 211 position layoff is a worst case scenario. After the budget is finalized they are hoping to keep as many teachers and employees as possible.