Calif. Teachers Protest Layoffs Before Pink-Slip Deadline
LOS ANGELES (AP) — California teachers are rallying across the state to protest layoffs and call on state lawmakers to support Gov. Jerry Brown's budget plan.
Demonstrations are taking place Tuesday, the deadline for districts to issue preliminary layoff notices to school employees.
Districts are handing out thousands of pink slips as they prepare for worst-case budget scenarios. They have until May 15 to issue final layoff notices.
Gov. Jerry Brown's plan to close the state's nearly $27 billion budget deficit seeks to maintain current K-12 spending levels by asking voters to approve tax extensions.
But so far the governor hasn't secured enough Republican support to hold a special tax election.
Without the tax extensions, school districts could face another round of deep budget cuts that could prompt widespread layoffs and campus closures.
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