To date, 90 of 110 teachers returned
On the last day of the school year, the Sweetwater Union High School District has been able to rescind an additional 15 layoff notices to teachers, bringing back a total of 90 of the 110 teachers given notice in March.
The action restores all the teachers noticed in art, French, health, Italian and music. In previous rescissions, the district reinstated all the noticed teachers in physical education and Japanese. Teachers with credentials in business, English, industrial tech, social science, Spanish and deaf/hard of hearing have also received word that they will be returning next year.
"The School Board has always been committed to preserving as many jobs as possible," said Board President Arlie N. Ricasa. "Our actions show that we value elective courses as much as we do core subject areas."
The Sweetwater District must cut $31 million by the end of the school year. Special one-time funding and other savings have lowered the amount in new cuts the district must make to $7.6 million.
During several board meetings, the board has trimmed all but $733,000 of the $7.6 million gap. The board was scheduled to have a special board meeting today to discuss the last items to be cut. The board is scheduled to approve a balanced budget at its regularly scheduled June 14 meeting.