California Teacher Layoff System Needs to Change

Chances are, if you have a child in public school, at least one of the teachers at their school has received a layoff notice. In fact, in California the teacher workforce has shrunk by 11% since 2008. Economic factors, decreasing enrollment and district cutbacks causes this number to increase and decrease in districts; in real numbers, this means that over 32,000 teachers have lost their jobs in the last five years. The CTA (California Teacher's Association) reports that 20,000 teachers received layoff notices for the 2011-12 school year.

The layoff process, controlled by state law, allows school districts to lay off teachers due to several reasons, dictates the timeline for notification (by March 15) and how teachers might be rehired if situations change. By May 15, districts must make official layoff decisions for the upcoming school year.

This is where I find huge problems with this process. First, the layoff process actually costs districts money. Each permanent employee, having the right to a hearing, eventually costs the district $700 to provide the layoff and appeal process.

Second, the state timeline doesn't align with the California state budget decisions. Districts, forced to meet the March due date, often 'over notify' teachers to prepare for a worst-case scenario. The result is that California's newest teachers repeatedly receive layoffs, causing stress, lack of future planning, and eventually the loss of energetic and inspired educators. Schools are unable to proactively plan what courses and programs can be offered and what staff will be credentialed to teach.

In my 21 years teaching in California I have received two notifications-one in 2008, and one this year. Our district notified teachers back to those hired in 2001, causing a domino effect of educators 'bumping' their colleagues out of positions simply due to their credential, not based on any actual experience they may have in that subject.

The California's Legislative Analyst's Office is looking to improve this process by moving the notification date to June 1 and the decision date August 1. In my opinion, this would allow districts to establish accurate budget predictions and thus notify less teachers. In the big picture, the less impact the process has on those people who stand and face our children each day the better. Working and planning under the threat of losing my job is not the way to end the school year. Teachers and kids deserve better.