Palo Alto Unified School District Faces Potential Layoffs Amid $33 Million Budget Cut
The Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) is confronting a significant financial challenge, with a projected $33 million budget deficit for the upcoming school year. This shortfall could lead to substantial layoffs, as warned by new superintendent Jason Glass. Board member Shounak Dharap acknowledged that 'we’re going to have to fire people,' despite the difficult conversations this will entail. The district's initial strategy to mitigate layoffs involves leaving vacant positions unfilled and reassigning existing employees. Cuts have already begun at the district office, where Glass has opted not to fill several administrative roles. A major contributor to this deficit is recently approved labor agreements that granted employees a 10.4% raise and $10,000 in bonuses. Former board member Ken Dauber criticized these agreements as 'unaffordable and excessively generous,' arguing that the board created this financial crisis. The district faces a March 15 deadline to issue layoff notices. 
