Arbitrator Rules LAUSD Can Order 5 Furlough Days

LOS ANGELES (AP) — An arbitrator has ruled in favor of the Los Angeles Unified School District's request that teachers take five furlough days this academic year to save $75 million in payroll costs.

A statement by teachers union United Teachers Los Angeles issued Thursday says the days will likely be taken in June, ending the school year early.

UTLA had challenged the district's right to impose furlough days, saying it believed the district was adequately funded to complete the school year, but the arbitrator agreed with the district's accounting.

UTLA says it will ask the district to rescind 875 layoff notices with the payroll savings.

The nation's second-largest school district has issued 9,500 layoff notices to teachers and other professional employees, citing a $390 million budget shortfall for the next school year.

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