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# More than 200 school district employees could be laid off
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/more-than-200-school-district-employees-could-be-laid-off/
- Published: 2003-02-14T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T01:34:15.000Z
- Author: Andrew Fixmer
- Tags: Education, Malibu, #archive-import

*Board may give superintendent power to issue pink slips*

More than 200 employees may lose their jobs at schools in Santa Monica and Malibu as educators struggle to cope with a $13-million drop-off in state funding.

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified school board may give Superintendent John Deasy the power to issue 206 pink slips on Feb. 20, thereby giving adequate notice that the employees’ future employment is uncertain. All told, school district officials are proposing $13,756,459 worth of lay-offs and reductions.

Under state law, notices must be given to the school district’s unionized personnel by March 15 if they are not going to be rehired the following school year.

District officials said they are taking action now in case layoffs have to be made down the road. They said many cuts would not have to be made if a $225 parcel tax is approved by voters on a June 3 special election, and if the cities of Santa Monica and Malibu double their annual contributions to the school district.

42A,“We actually hope none of them have to be cut,” said Superintendent John Deasy. “Unlike many other districts, we are fortunate enough to have some options in front of us.”

The proposed cuts and layoffs have been placed into three categories. One would be restored if the parcel tax, which will net the school district $6.5 million annually, is approved. Another could be restored if Santa Monica doubles its current school district funding from $3.5 million to $7 million and if Malibu doubles their funding from $227,000 to $454,000.

The third category can’t be restored unless the federal and state grants that pay for those programs and positions are funded. But with California facing an unprecedented $34.5 billion budget deficit, district officials said the likelihood of that is unlikely.

“Based on what state is telling us at this particular point in time, and if nothing happens with the funding initiative, and if the cities can’t come through, well, this is real,” said board member Julia Brownley. “On the other hand, we are hopeful that won’t happen.”

More than 66 teachers would be cut by increasing class sizes districtwide to save $4,074,368.

Third grade classes would be increased from its current class sizes of 20 students for every one teacher to 30 students for every teacher. Average class sizes at John Adams and Lincoln middle schools would increase from 30 to 35 students for every one teacher. And Malibu and Santa Monica high school class sizes would be increased from 33 to 37 students for every one teacher.

Another 25 teaching positions would be cut, though the school district hasn’t specified where or how those positions will be eliminated. The school’s district budget would be decreased $1,803,471 from the additional reductions.

The number of school nurses would be cut in half under the proposed layoffs. Currently, the school district employs 10 nurses, and five positions could be cut to save $399,956.

Every elementary music teacher could be laid off to save the district $503,868\. The move would eliminate elementary music programs, delaying students from learning a musical instrument until they reach the eighth grade.

District officials have also requested the school board approve a 20 percent reduction in classified services and positions; like janitors and cafeteria workers, computer technicians and classroom aides. More than 56 classified positions are slated to be cut, which would save the district $3, 242, 522

Another 35 elementary librarians, middle and high school library assistants, all elementary physical education teachers, all trainers and athletic support staff and lifeguards would be cut. That would save the district an additional $1,421, 496.

And all special contract and miscellaneous employees would be eliminated as well to save an additional $998,257.

Even if the school district receives the funding it needs to keep all of its employees, officials fear by sending out the notices many of its teachers will find new jobs in other school districts.

The situation could create a brain drain for the school district, with many of its employees leaving for more secure positions, officials said.

“It’s the risk every district is taking,” Deasy said. “It’s not germane just to us. We’re telling people we do have solutions, we have some solutions in front of us. We hope to get through this without losing a single employee.”

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 14, 2003.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/021403.pdf?ref=smdp.com)