Layoffs, Furlough Days Loom For Murrieta Valley Unified

As many as 66 elementary school teaching positions in Murrieta could be affected by layoffs once a vote is taken Thursday.

In addition to the layoff notices, the school board of the Murrieta Valley Unified School District will vote on furlough days for all classified and certificated management and supervisory positions, according to the meeting agenda. It will also vote on reducing school board member compensation.

Up to five furlough days in the current school year and 10 days in 2012-2013 would amount to a maximum 9.66-percent reduction in pay for management and other supervisory classified and certificated positions. The same pay cut would apply to board members. Paychecks would be affected beginning the end of March.

While the layoffs would affect elementary teachers, resulting increases to class sizes would be spread throughout all grade levels in 2012-2013, according to the agenda report.

If mandated, the furlough days would save the district $6.4 million. Those who would be dealt the cut include principals, assistant principals, non-teaching certificated positions such as counselors, athletic directors, nurses, pyschologists, speech pathologists, supervisors, coordinators and senior management.

Officials in a previous meeting, citing a $19 to $20-million budget shortfall next school year. The district has a March 15 deadline to submit potential layoffs to the Riverside County Office of Education.

In spring 2011, , 77 of those at the elementary level. But between the district and the Murrieta Teachers Association warded those off, and furlough days were taken instead. The furlough days and ultimately the pay were later

The school board meeting is open to the public and begins at 7 p.m. Thursday at the District Support Center, 41870 McAlby Court, Murrieta.