Nicole Montiero (right), a first-grade teacher at MacQuiddy Elementary School, joins other PVUSD teachers in a rally Friday at Watsonville Plaza to oppose potential cuts to libraries, and teacher, nurse and counselor layoffs.

PVUSD administrators will once again try to hammer out a budget Wednesday, a week after the board of trustees tabled the item and a massive turnout prompted a visit from the Watsonville Fire Department, and an early end to the discussion.

The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees has now heeded demands from the public to discuss the controversial budget in a larger venue. It will hold the discussions Wednesday at the Ann Soldo Elementary School Multipurpose Room, and on Thursday at the Aptos High School Performing Arts Center.

At the Feb. 25 meeting, more than 300 people packed into the boardroom, where the maximum capacity is 215.

The trustees must cut $17 million from the $191 million budget. More than 250 teachers, and dozens of custodians and other workers, are expected to receive layoff notices.

Layoffs among teachers in lower grades will cause the student-to-teacher ratio to increase to 30:1.

Francisco Rodriguez, president of the Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers, said teachers are willing to help with the budget crisis by agreeing to furlough days and other reductions, but not until present negotiations have been settled.

Rodriguez said that, in early February, PVFT submitted a proposal for the 2008-09 year contract, to which the district has not responded. Among other things, PVFT is asking for binding arbitration, which would provide a concrete decision from an outside mediator during contract disputes.

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*Photo by Tarmo Hannula*

(Published 2/28/09 edition)

For the complete article see the 02-28-2009 issue.

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