The Sacramento City Unified School District is considering laying off an additional 400 positions to address a deficit that has grown to $134 million, an increase of $21 million from last month due to underfunding in special education.The school board is looking at a mix of positions for layoffs, including 18 preschool employees, non-teaching staff, district office positions, and administrator roles. This is on top of the 400 positions already targeted for possible cuts, potentially impacting more than 800 employees.During Thursday night’s board meeting, concerns were raised about the impact of these cuts. “We have one administrator who is supervising over 150 people who make life and death decisions every day. One person to monitor the health needs of every student in this district. Is that reasonable or safe for students? What happens if we cut the one person who will oversee student health? Who will ensure compliance?” a speaker said.Another speaker expressed uncertainty about the situation, saying, “We have way more questions than getting answers right now. I’m sure many members of the board feel that way as well. And we hope that over the next two months, we can work together to piece this together in a way that is going to keep the district on track fiscally with a minimum of impact on our members.”The district is required to issue preliminary layoff notices by March 15, but not everyone who receives a notice will necessarily lose their job. Final decisions will be made in May. Despite the deficit, the district has managed to delay a threatened state takeover until at least September, thanks to improved cash flow.The board approved a vote to continue the meeting late into the night as they continue to work on what cuts need to be made. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

The Sacramento City Unified School District is considering laying off an additional 400 positions to address a deficit that has grown to $134 million, an increase of $21 million from last month due to underfunding in special education.

The school board is looking at a mix of positions for layoffs, including 18 preschool employees, non-teaching staff, district office positions, and administrator roles.

This is on top of the 400 positions already targeted for possible cuts, potentially impacting more than 800 employees.

During Thursday night’s board meeting, concerns were raised about the impact of these cuts.

“We have one administrator who is supervising over 150 people who make life and death decisions every day. One person to monitor the health needs of every student in this district. Is that reasonable or safe for students? What happens if we cut the one person who will oversee student health? Who will ensure compliance?” a speaker said.

Another speaker expressed uncertainty about the situation, saying, “We have way more questions than getting answers right now. I’m sure many members of the board feel that way as well. And we hope that over the next two months, we can work together to piece this together in a way that is going to keep the district on track fiscally with a minimum of impact on our members.”

The district is required to issue preliminary layoff notices by March 15, but not everyone who receives a notice will necessarily lose their job.

Final decisions will be made in May.

Despite the deficit, the district has managed to delay a threatened state takeover until at least September, thanks to improved cash flow.

The board approved a vote to continue the meeting late into the night as they continue to work on what cuts need to be made.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel