Long Beach City College Votes To Lay Off 55 Employees To Save $5M

LONG BEACH (AP) — The Long Beach City College trustees have voted unanimously to lay off 55 employees and slash the hours of 96 others as the school faces a $5 million state funding cut for the next academic year.

Tuesday's vote reflects continued cuts to a college that has lost $10.7 million in state funding over the past three years.

On top of the $5 million cut slated for 2012-13, the college may lose another $4.8 million if voters do not approve tax initiatives on the November ballot.

The layoffs include 12 managers and 43 support staff positions. The college has also decided not to fill a dean and two faculty jobs.

Board President Eloy Ortiz Oakley says the college has little alternative due to the continued funding cuts.

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