Santa Ana Unified considering massive teacher layoffs
SANTA ANA, Calif. - The Santa Ana Unified School Board is considering cutting hundreds of jobs for educators while increasing the salary of the superintendent.
During Tuesday night’s meeting, the school board faced criticism from students, parents and educators over plans to lay off 351 educators. The school board is also proposing a 3% salary increase and 3% bonus for Superintendent Jerry Almendarez, who earns more than $447,000 annually in total compensation.
The superintendent explained during the meeting that the budget cuts are a result of no longer having COVID-related funding and a steep decline in student enrollment in recent years.
"It’s upsetting because it’s a mismanagement of funds," said President of the Santa Ana Educators Association, Sonta Garner-Marcelo.
"I feel like I’m at a funeral because the numbers don’t look good," said school counselor Monica Mejia who worries that her position will be among the proposed cuts.
The proposed job cuts include at least 169 teacher positions, 57 counselors, 55 coaches, 21 elementary school staff, and 16 teacher coaches within the school district.
Tuesday night’s school board meeting was adjourned around 11:30 p.m. with no vote taking place and a special meeting scheduled to continue on Thursday, Dec. 19 at 5 p.m.
If the layoffs are approved by the school board, affected employees will be out of their jobs by March 15.