School employee cuts immanent

Paul Clinton

More than 30 jobs may be lost as part of the Huntington Beach Union

High School Board’s plan to trim $3.87 million out of the 2002-03 budget.

The plan would close the summer school program at two of the eight

high schools in the district and strip down a program for disabled

students. Students at Valley Vista High School in Fountain Valley and

Coast High School, the adult education school in Huntington Beach will

have to sign up for summer school classes at other campuses.

District officials blame the state’s budget crisis for the drastic

action.

“You’re going to see this statewide,” trustee Michael Simons said.

“It’s because of the state budget problem. We have less money.”

The two nursing positions officials originally proposed to be

eliminated are not among the 30 plus jobs to be cut under the new plan.

Supt. Susan Roper reversed her earlier proposal approved by the school

board to eliminate two of the four nursing positions in the district. The

two nurses on the firing line can now ignore the letters they received

from the district in March notifying them of their immanent dismissal.

But after school officials informed nurses in early March that their

jobs would be cut, Roper’s office was deluged with calls, e-mails and

letters protesting the decision.

Roper set up a working session last week with more than 50 employees

from all facets of the district to provide input on the decision.

“We were in the first round of cuts,” said nurse Carol Kanode, who did

not receive a letter. “That committee was not supportive of the nurse

cuts.”

Kanode also holds a seat on the Ocean View School Board.

Instead of nurses, the district has made plans to lay off eight aides

in the district’s Communicatively Handicapped program, five full-time

custodial jobs, two vice principals and a library worker.

Many of the other positions are clerical and managerial posts. Several

employees with credentials to teach would receive a pink slip. Those

include two teachers at Coast High School and a part-time teacher at

Valley Vista High School.

District officials floated the plan during a Monday evening study

session. The board is set to take public input on May 14 and render a

decision May 28.

Any employee who has received special training, or certification, to

work in the district, must have received a notice by March 15. State law

requires it.

The cuts are expected to slow the district’s efficiency in handling

day-to-day tasks, said Patricia Koch, the assistant superintendent of

business services.

“What we have to do is establish priorities and decide what our most

important tasks are,” Koch said. “When you cut staff, you provide fewer

services, ask your staff to do more or just don’t provide something.”

* PAUL CLINTON is a reporter with Times Community News. He covers City

Hall and education. He may be reached at (714) 965-7173 or by e-mail ato7 paul.clinton@latimes.comf7 .