MVUSD Rescinds Teacher Layoff Notices

A labor agreement that avoids teacher layoffs in the Murrieta Valley Unified Scool District was solidified today.

In a special meeting, the school board voted 5-0 to rescind 51 layoff notices in light of . The agreement amounts to $7.2 million in savings for the district, officials said.

"Our bargaining units have come together with the speed of trust," said Board member Ken Dickson. "It is certainly a very unusual agreement from what I've seen in other regions of the state."

The layoffs were to be at the elementary school level, but would have affected class sizes at all grade levels.

Instead, teachers agreed to take furlough days, The student attendance calendar has been modified to reflect those days.

Senior management, the school board, principals and assistant principals and other supervisory employees also agreed to a 9.66-percent reduction in pay.

"Our school community has stepped up together again with everyone taking the same reduction in salary to help our kids have the best education they can at this time," said Board member Kris Thomasian.

To read more about the budget issues faced by the district,

Since the beginning of education funding woes within the last few years, the district has not laid off any teachers.

Board President Paul Diffley said this latest agreement avoids repossessed cars and the breaking up of families.

The district is the largest employer in the city, with more than 900 teachers and at least 540 support workers.