Forty-five employees in the Los Altos School District will be let go this spring as the district tries to deal with over $2 million in cuts through the 2010-11 school year, administrators decided earlier this week.
The district, which serves hundreds of Mountain View residents, will make cuts totaling $2.3 million over the next two years, including $500,000 from special programs and $800,000 in one -time cuts. Board members decided on the cost-cutting measures during their March 2 meeting.
The cuts come after the state Legislature passed a harsh budget on Feb. 20, slashing over $8 billion from public schools through 2010.
Los Altos schools were spared drastic cuts through the 2009-10 school year, and will see $500,000 in reductions -- significantly less than expected. But, assistant superintendent for business services Randy Kenyon said, the board is now preparing for 2010-11, when the schools could face millions in cuts.
"It's not just a one-year problem," Kenyon said.
The trustees cut employees and budgets in the physical education departments, libraries, science programs and district office staff. The district will transfer money from unused funds and will "restructure" certain programs, such as English language development and summer school, saving the schools half a million dollars.
Administrators said pink slips will be sent out to "certificated staff" by March 15, and to "classified staff" by mid-April.