School District May Issue Pink Slips

The Millbrae School District Board voted Monday to issue layoff notices for seven teachers in case a proposed ballot measure to extend state tax increases fails.

The district would face a $450,610 deficit next fiscal year if Gov. Jerry Brown’s package to extend state income, sales and vehicle taxes doesn’t pass in June, district officials said.

The board made the preliminary reduction equivalent to eight full-time positions to balance the budget because the district is required to notify teachers of layoffs for next school year by March 15.

“That’s our proposal to help balance the budget based on the taxes not passing,” said Superintendent Linda Luna. “This is just to get the ball rolling.”

The positions include five elementary teachers, two middle school teachers, a part-time counselor and part-time assistant principal.

“In order to implement that big loss of teachers, we would have to raise class sizes substantially,” said Chief Business Official Paul Disario.

The district would rescind the layoffs if the tax package is successful.

If the tax extensions fail, the district could lose $330 in funding per student, Disario said. The deficit would rise to nearly $1.7 million in fiscal year 2013.

Luna said the board would have meetings on the impact of the budget reductions in coming months.

Also Monday, the board voted to issue $18 million in bonds from .

The monies will fund this summer’s construction projects, which will include making facilities handicap-accessible, replacing roofs and upgrading technology.

Voters approved the $30 million bond in November 2008, and the board issued $12 million in bonds in 2009.

The board will meet again on March 14 at 7 p.m. in the city council chambers to further discuss Measure X bonds.