By Connie Llanos Staff Writer
Posted: 03/09/2010 08:33:51 PM PST

Los Angeles Unified officials said Tuesday they expect to lay off at least 6,300 workers this summer if employee unions cannot agree to deep concessions, including a 10 percent pay cut and 12 furlough days over the next two years.

The massive layoffs are needed to close LAUSD’s budget gap estimated at $640 million for the 2010-11 school year.

“We need help or the draconian cuts I’ve recommended will have to take place,” said LAUSD Superintendent Ramon Cortines.

Last week, the Board of Education approved sending out some 5,200 layoff notices to teachers, administrators, nurses, counselors and librarians. However, the number of slips tends to be larger than the actual number of workers laid off.

The board on Tuesday unanimously approved a budget report calling for deep cuts to services, changes in class sizes and the elimination of 6,344 LAUSD workers.

Board members expressed regret over the cuts, but said they had no alternatives unless state and federal funding for schools is increased, or employees agreed to make sacrifices.

“I feel horrible today knowing that over 6,000 families will be directly affected by these budget cuts,” said board President Monica Garcia. “It is very painful to have to ask employees to receive less compensation next year but we need to work together to save jobs and services.”

It is expected that unless savings or additional funding is found next year, some 3,100 teachers – or 11 percent of the total employed – will be laid off.

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