Another slum in the making wrote on May 8, 2008 10:02 PM:They talk constantly about how "upscale" Carlsbad is...I think this proves just how marginal it really is.

Taxpayer wrote on May 8, 2008 11:08 PM:Please encourage Scott S to run for school board!!! Run Scott Run!!!!

Sad to see it happen wrote on May 9, 2008 12:50 AM:I disagree "another slum in the making". While we may not be hearing about it, I am sure we are not the only city hit hard by these budget cuts. I think it's unfair and a little bit dramatic to imply that it is a slum in the making.

Scott S. wrote on May 9, 2008 5:56 AM:It's unfortunate our State budget crises is forcing CUSD to make these hard dicisions. Our teachers are a valuable asset and the loss of those and other jobs is very destablizing. We need immediate help at the School Board level in three areas. Increase local control of spending.Pursue partnerships with Corporate America.And renegotiate third party contracts where possible. I intend to seek that job this November.

Scott S. wrote on May 9, 2008 5:58 AM:In order to provide the quality education our children deserve - we should do what is necessary to save teachers and public employees jobs. The service which these positions provide in an integral part of my plan to save CUSD.

Better not have the wrote on May 9, 2008 6:28 AM:public catching teachers making students clean up the classrooms due to lack of janitors. Big Law Suit.

TP wrote on May 9, 2008 6:42 AM:WHO CARES? So the public education system goes from terrible to really terrible.

John E wrote on May 9, 2008 7:56 AM:I generally concur with Scott S., but would add that we need to tie teacher job retention to performance and quality, rather than tenure. Let's keep the best tenured teachers, but also the best new teachers, while taking advantage of this opportunity to clear out the deadwood. I know ... I'm dreaming, but I think we have a real problem here. In private industry, layoffs are based first on skills and experience needed for a particular function, second on productivity and performance, and only third on tenure. In the education business, tenure comes first, ahead of performance and knowledge, and the public suffers.

Outsider wrote on May 9, 2008 8:00 AM:Carlsbad is not in this position due to mismanagement. They are in this position due to those we elect in Sacramento not being able to work together and not being able to place a priority on education. Write your legislators and Governor. Your board and Superintendent has spearheaded efforts to combat cuts to education. You should be working along them instead of against them.

vcguy wrote on May 9, 2008 8:24 AM:The fact that the layoffs are "based on seniority and what type of teaching credential they have" shows everyone our schools are messed up beyond belief.

Get rid of tenure and start rewarding the good teachers. These layoffs guarantee Carlsbad will be left with the typical slug teachers killing time and waiting for retirement.

Never vote to approve any additional school funding until teachers agree to ditch tenure.

To John E wrote on May 9, 2008 8:31 AM:Private industry does not base layoffs on the value of the employee. Experienced, seasoned employees are laid off while new, less expensive employees are kept. It is also based on those who brown-nose and those who don't.

Fibonacci wrote on May 9, 2008 8:37 AM:I couldn't help but notice that the list of cuts did not include anyone from the district office. It's very sad that our kid's education will suffer but at least the district staff will get to keep their fat car allowances.

Concerned wrote on May 9, 2008 9:15 AM:Don't blame this on the teachers, tenured or new. Don't blame it on the Administration. Blame the Governor, legislators,and let them know about your unhappiness with the budget decisions. We all should try and focus on the real problem here.

Karl wrote on May 9, 2008 9:28 AM:To "To John @ 8:31 AM:"

"new, less expensive employees are kept" isn't the way it goes in my corner of the business world. Before I retired I was an Operations Manager for a large construction company. I was in charge of all personnel decisions and definitely kept the "experienced, seasoned employees". There is no way I could keep up with the competition or satisfy my customers without the best employees available. This company found good employees and took care of them and their families, without good employees any company will eventually fail.

Economic Woes wrote on May 9, 2008 9:33 AM:This problem in the schools is caused by the lack of taxes due to the false rise in tax revenues caused by the lenders giving loans to people who never should have receieved home loans. These property taxes received by the state in the early 2000's created large tax revenues which have dried up. Until the economy (tax revenues come back) this poor economic distaster will continue and power hungry people will tell you they have the answers, which they don't!

Concerned Taxpayer wrote on May 9, 2008 10:03 AM:Outsider, you are partially correct. However,the Carlsbad School Board has a fiduciary duty to plan for these financial uncertainties. Someone with a business background that can read a BALANCE SHEET would have been able to predict that the "good times" in the real estate market would not last forever. Therefore,when the balloon popped, as it has, an astute business person could have predicted lower tax revenue and planned a rainy day fund for our fiscal emergencies.

Costal Gal wrote on May 9, 2008 10:24 AM:I agree with Scott S... Please run this Nov and you have my vote!

Insider wrote on May 9, 2008 10:40 AM:I disagree with "Outsider." Where was/is the plan from the CUSD to work with our state's leadership to solve these problems? Of course this problem is a state wide problem but we could have done more to mitigate the effects in Carlsbad and prepare for the fall out that is to come. All, I've seen is protesting, photo ops, and laying blame...none of which has changed a single thing. Where are the solutions from the CUSD??? How many times has the current board met with out state's leaders in the last year? I wouldn't rule out mismanagement at any level, district or state. Where is the accountability for our government? No business would survive this way. I want my hard earned tax dollars back for services not rendered.

Well Said wrote on May 9, 2008 10:42 AM:Concerned Taxpayer; the lack of common sense and forward thinking has contributed to the issues Carlsbad school system is facing.

Sharon wrote on May 9, 2008 11:08 AM:How come we have not heard about potential layoffs in the Encinitas school districts? Does anyone know the answer?

Insider wrote on May 9, 2008 11:54 AM:I respectfully disagree with "Outsider." Where was/is the plan from the CUSD to work with our state's leadership to solve these problems? Of course this problem is a state wide problem but we could have done more locally to mitigate the effects in Carlsbad and prepare for the fall out that is to come. All, I've seen is protesting, photo ops, and laying blame...none of which has changed a single thing. Where are the solutions proposed by the CUSD??? How many times has the current board met with out state's leaders in the last year? I wouldn't rule out mismanagement at any level, district or state.

Where is the accountability for our government? No business would survive this way. I want my hard earned tax dollars back for services not rendered. We need new blood.

To John E and vc guy wrote on May 9, 2008 1:03 PM:I don't agree with the union stance of allowing unproductive employees job security; however, in this case, I think the alternative is worse. The distinction between "good" teachers as opposed to "deadwood" is subjective. Who is going to determine the difference? I have had children in the Carlsbad school system for 14 years and have seen administrators make decisions based on their own personal agenda/vendetta rather than on what is best for the students. I would hate to see them have the sole decision over who stays and who goes.

Fibonacci wrote on May 9, 2008 2:34 PM:Fibonacci[-] wrote on May 9, 2008 8:37 AM:"I couldn't help but notice that the list of cuts did not include anyone from the district office. It's very sad that our kid's education will suffer but at least the district staff will get to keep their fat car allowances."

Know what you're talking about before you voice your opinion. There were quite a few District office people who lost jobs last year so CUTA could get a big raise for teachers. And...there are more on the chopping block now. How many people do you actually think work at the District office and are you even aware of what they do. I agree with weeding through the tenured teachers and employees in general and picking the best, let the rest fend for themselves, they are just milking the system anyway. And, just how many people do you think get fat car allowances at the District office anyway?

Government Is Not Business wrote on May 9, 2008 4:59 PM:Fibonacci shoots from the hip. He/She should read the list I got from a friend yesterday. I guess the school board publishes the agenda on Friday afternoon. If I've got it down right, a bunch of headquarters people will lose their jobs.

no tenure in CA wrote on May 10, 2008 2:59 AM:There is no tenure in the California Education Code nor is there any concept like it. I challenge anyone who thinks otherwise to search the Ed. Code on line at:

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/calawquery?codesection=edc&codebody=&hits=20

There is no tenure in the California Education Code nor is there any concept like it. I challenge anyone who thinks otherwise to search for the concept in the Ed. Code on line at:

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/calawquery?codesection=edc&codebody=&hits=20

Teachers in California have three status categories. They are given temporary status when they are hired to replace a teacher on leave. Probationary status when they are first hired for a district. Probationary status lasts two years. Permanent status if they survive their probationary period.

Temporary and probationary teachers may be fired for any or no reason. Permanent teachers may be fired for any documented reason. Permanent teachers may also appeal their firing to the school board. The only difference between the firing of probationary and permanent teachers is the written documentation required from the site administrator. Permanent status is far from the "life time tenure."

During tough financial times teachers are released by credential and hiring date. The hiring date provision was added due to scandals in the past.

Here are two actual examples of outrageous firings from the late forties and early fifties here in California. One principal fired a teacher with twenty years of experience at her school (many more years then the principal had at the school) because his newly credentialed nephew needed a job. The principal then gave his nephew her job. Another principal let women teachers go because they did not need work outside the home, whereas men needed salaries to support their families. We know that because that is what he told the women teachers when he fired them.

Carlsbad Mom wrote on May 10, 2008 11:33 AM:As a mother of two Carlsbad students, I'm sadden that these layoffs have to occur. All of Carlsbad schools are awesome. I have yet to hear one bad thing about any of the schools or its administration. Carlsbad kids are getting great education, they are no incidents of gang activity surrounding the schools (unlike our sister cities Oceanside and Vista), the schools are ranking high in academics; and I truly believe that this is all due not only to the parents of the students and the community in which they are surrounded by, but also the teachers that take the time and effort to educate them. I'm disappointed in our State Government in fact that they would take budget cuts from one of the most important assets we as Americans have, and that is education. Why not cut back on the California State Prison, or cut back on giving our tax payer money to welfare recipients and illegal immigrants? It's truly sad and upsetting.

Larry wrote on May 10, 2008 9:54 PM:Are they laying off 100 educators or not? This "layoff notice" rhetoric is just another doomsday scare tactic. Trust me, the real layoff numbers will only be a fraction of this but this won't be widely reported.

Reardon wrote on May 12, 2008 9:12 AM:Are you out there? If so, please re-post the information that you have about the budget numbers.

Thank you.

John E. for school board wrote on May 13, 2008 1:50 PM:Forget Scott S. who is using 'blog it' fre space to gloat and announce his candicacy by using cut and paste saying the same mundance stuff on each page....urge John E (see his post above) to run; now that is a man who knows what schools need and refuse to address. Clear the deadwood!