LA Schools Reach Tentative Deal In Layoff Suit, May Hire More Teachers

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Unified School District may settle a lawsuit over teacher layoffs by spending $25 million to hire more staff for dozens of struggling schools.

The tentative settlement was announced Tuesday. The school board will consider it later this month.

The ACLU of Southern California and the Public Counsel Law Center sued the district four years ago, arguing seniority policies meant teacher layoffs hit low-income and inner-city schools hardest because they had the newest teachers.

A judge approved a settlement in 2011 but the teachers' union appealed.

Under the new proposal, the district will expand faculty development programs and will hire additional assistant principals and support staff for 37 schools with high teacher turnover rates.

Superintendent John Deasy says youngsters will benefit tremendously.

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