640 million short fall on LAUSD

Kindergartners will have less of a chance of going to college. The current proposals towards small schools, that is primary centers k-2 are undergoing the process as we speak. LAUSD has a 640 million dollar short fall and the results will be devistating. Teachers, teachers assistants, supervision aide, custodial workers, bus drivers, nurses, art teachers, psychologist, dance teachers and many more at those schools are going to be furloughed, wage decreased, bumped and laid off! They are the very reason why schools function.

At the moment discussions are being tabled of how many kids should be in the class. Already that number is 24 to 1, now going to rise up to 29 to 1! that is rediculous and tiring just to think about. But not only that, library workers are going to be eliminated, principal's are going to be half time positions and psychologist will be reduced to half time. Art teachers will be cut by 50%, instructional material cut by 25%, supervision aide by 25%, custodial material, (bathroom supplies and trash bags. etc) will be cut by 20%. These cuts are going to make the work load heavier on the staff and kids.

At my job site there are under 300 students and there will be serious consequences, but these are just cuts to small schools. 2 teachers will be laid off, or bumped to other schools for teachers who have more seniority. This in itself pins teachers against each other. Teachers with less years against teachers with more years. The problem is with the district and the capitalist class who exploit the divisions. Another issue is the laying off of 1 office assitant and making the other half time. They are crucial to the schools functioning as they help the office stay organized with the daily transactions.

Their are ways to fight against these cuts. One being is to connect with your co-workers, talk of the problems you all are facing, another is to talk organizations that are fighting to make this struggle into a movement as this country has been lacking in for so many years. Also, get involved with your union, but most importantly connect with the rank-and-file to discuss these issues at hand. Another organization that is helping to fight back is the March 4th committee's we are a grouping that came together from october 24th 2009 in Berkeley Univesity which 800 were in attendance. It was composed of teachers from K-12, CC's, CSU's and UC's plus union members, community activist and leftist organizations. We have been successful in growing local committees to fight in each region. If you are looking to further your involvement and you and your co-workers are looking for answers, we are having a Southern California regional meeting in pasadena college on the 27th of March at noon. contact us on weknowwhatsup.blogspot.com for additional information.