Over 100 Teachers Part Of New CVUSD Cuts

THERMAL – There are going to be some big cuts at Valley schools. The Coachella Valley Unified School District announced it will layoff 114 teaching positions at the end of the 2009 school year.

According to the district, it was a tough decision, but it was fiscally responsible.

“It’s not realistic to have a pay roll we’re not going to have,” interim Superintendent Carey Carlson said. “We need to have financial responsibility.”

However, the Coachella Valley Teachers Association said they do not agree with the decision and believe federal funding can avoid layoffs.

“We have the Federal Stimulus funds and, like the district says, we have not had our fingers on it yet,” Coachella Valley Teachers Association president Alexis Willis. “Everything pointsto usgetting $4.5 million.”

The Coachella Valley Unified School District says it will send notices to teachers no later than May 14.