Judge Will Likely Stick With Tentative LAUSD Layoff Ruling

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A judge has indicated he's sticking to a tentative ruling that changes the Los Angeles school district's last-hired, first-fired rules when there are teacher layoffs.

Superior Court Judge William Highberger said Tuesday he continues to side with parties in an October tentative agreement meant to protect schools from suffering high teacher turnover during layoffs.

Still, the judge says he's willing to consider new evidence and hear further arguments during three days of formal hearings beginning Jan. 18.

The tentative deal calls for the Los Angeles Unified School District to apply seniority rules campus by campus to distribute layoffs more evenly. The Los Angeles Times says it would prevent schools that depend heavily on inexperienced teachers from being devastated by layoffs.

The teachers union doesn't like the proposal.

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