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Board: Cuts Needed To Close Inglewood School District's Nearly $18M Deficit

INGLEWOOD (CBSLA.com) — After a multimillion dollar bailout from the state last October, the board tasked with overseeing the Inglewood School District's finances said further cuts are needed to help close an almost $18 million deficit this school year.

Parents, teachers and administrators were in attendance Tuesday as state education officials said the cuts are needed to prevent the district from quickly depleting the state's $55 million loan.

Among those proposed are cuts in pay and benefits, as well as consolidation of schools with low enrollment.

An estimated 170 layoffs are also possible.

According to the Board, the district must have its finances in order by the beginning of July to save the 2014-2015 school year.

"You cannot worsen our work conditions worse than they already are," teacher Kia Myers said to a full auditorium.

"Even though they say it's never been about us, our problem, they say in order to fix it they're going to have to go on the backs of employees," said kindergarten teacher Peter Somberg.

Teachers from other districts came in support of the Inglewood Unified employees.

"You don't want to wish this on anyone," said Terri Jackson, a teacher whose West Contra Costa School District was under the state's control for 21 years.

"It's just disruptive to the students, and it's generations of students," she said.

State-appointed school administrators are expected to have a detailed budget by the end of the week.

RELATED STORIES:

California Legislature Approves $55M Bailout Bill To Save Inglewood School District

Inglewood School District Employees Protest Proposed Pay Cuts

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