I’m confused by this. I’m pretty sure every single district in CA laid off teachers by increasing class sizes this fall.
So what now? School starts in 2 weeks. How is this money exactly divided up? Do fiscally responsible districts get any money, or just the ones who wasted money and overspent during the “good years” and didn’t keep any reserve?
Is there time for these fired and now re-hired teachers to get their classrooms ready? For the districts to re-assign all the students within the schools?
I’m mystified by the how this will all play out in practicality. . .somehow it all seems shady. . .
Do you think?
Our school starts tomorrow. As you say, the die is cast for the year. One commentator says the money isn’t necessarily slated for the popular teachers, cops and firefighters, rather it can be used for any government expense and the SEIU was heavily complicit in pushing this bill. Look for the SEIU members to demand their share of this.
In California, the teachers are among the highest paid in the nation. When budgets started shrinking, many districts went to the teacher union locals and asked for concessions so they would not have to lay off some of their fellow teachers. I don’t know about your area, but the local union here refused to budge, preferring to sacrifice their coworkers rather than give up a little of their future raises or benefits. (I believe some of the Sacramento teachers are furious about having their doctor visit copays rise from $1 to $5.) So, the taxpayers must sacrifice for the teachers and such but heaven forbid the teachers give a little to help each other.
I think some unions did give back a smidgen but I’m sure they are now kicking themselves because they were assured Washington would buckle eventually. This will make the unions even more intransigent on givebacks.