The Culver City Unified School District announced Tuesday night that there would be no teacher cuts this year. This is remarkable, as L.A. Unified School District just issued over 11,000 layoff notices to teachers.
The reason that Culver City isn’t cutting any teachers is simple. The Steve Gourley/Scott Zeidman-led Board – they departed in November – exercised fiscal responsibility, increased the reserve and looked to the future.
As a result of both the Gourley/Zeidman Board and the present Board, Culver City maintains a higher reserve than neighboring districts (allowing Culver City to borrow at a more favorable interest rate). No teachers will be laid off this year.
Considering the tough economic times, the dwindling state contribution to education, and the loss of the Redevelopment Agency funding across the state, we are fortunate that the Gourley/Zeidman Board had the foresight to protect our schools, our teachers and our students.
For years when the District and the unions agreed to furlough days, Teachers Union President David Mielke would demand a “thank you” from the Board. Mr. Mielke’s reasoning was that his members saved the District money by agreeing to these furlough days. (Yes, that rationale makes no sense to anyone but Mr. Meilke, as the alternative to furlough days would have been either a direct pay cut, or the loss of teaching positions).
Do you think that since the Gourley/Zeidman Board saved Mr. Meilke’s members from layoffs that Mr. Mielke will be sending a thank-you card to either Mr. Gourley or Mr. Zeidman?
I wouldn’t wait by the mailbox.
Ms. Hukes may be contacted at anhukes@yahoo.com
