LAUSD School Board Delays Massive Budget Cuts

The Los Angeles Unified School District school board delayed their decision on proposed budget cuts to adult and early childhood education Tuesday, and took steps to try and reduce the size of the cuts before a final decision is reached.

Although the decision was delayed, the board still authorized the distribution of layoff-warning notices for teachers and other LAUSD employees. The notices won't be sent until March 8 to allow time for negotiations and increases to state funding for the district.

Some of the more notable items on the list of potential casualties was the elimination of adult education, arts and early childhood education programs. Teachers were not the only employees in danger of being let go; cafeteria workers, librarians and school counselors are also subject to the terms of the proposal.

Opponents of the cuts argue that such measures would lessen the economic opportunities for the schools' neighborhoods. Proponents say that state government has not funded education sufficiently enough for the status quo to reign.