CUHSD ousts teachers

For the first time in 29 years, the Corning Union High School District is resorting to teacher layoffs in an attempt to balance its budget.

Facing an uncertain financial future and an ever-increasing state budget deficit, the District laid off employees occupying 5.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) certificated positions for the 2008-2009 school year. 

Resolution #297 -the proposed decision of Administrative Law Judge Trevor Skarda dated April 30, regarding the dismissals - was adopted Tuesday by the CUHSD board during a special meeting.

The FTE's affected included 0.5 in physical education, and 1.0 each in social science, special education, mathematics, and industrial & technology education.

Armando Romo (social science), Marci O'Shea (math), Floyd Green (industrial and technology education) and Larry Gimble, special education) were instructors who lost their positions. Lindsey Reimers, a physical education teacher, will lose 0.5 of her role, while maintaining her duties as coach of the Corning High School drill team.

Robert Davis, a teacher at C-Cal, was also laid off.

According to the approved decision of Skarda, CUHSD maintains a certificated seniority list that contains employee's seniority dates (first date of service), status as tenured, probationary or temporary, credentials and authorizations.

The District circulated a seniority list in anticipation of issuing layoff notices, and used the list to develop the proposed layoff list.

Bruce Cole, CUHSD superintendent, said the District will continue to watch the budget in the next few months, and hopes to be able to rescind one of the layoffs.

English teacher Lou Buran was on the list of possible lay-offs, but due to a notice of retirement from another teacher, his job was saved.

Craig Purcell may be reached at 824-1036 or cpurcell@tcnpress.com