SANTA ANA, Calif. — The Santa Ana Unified School District plans to lay off dozens of teachers and student counselors because of a multimillion-dollar budget deficit.

What You Need To Know

  • Santa Ana Unified School District is facing a $187 million budget deficit

  • The statutory deadline to notify staff that are a part of the layoffs was March 15

  • The district faced a similar financial deficit in 2017 and 2018

  • Teachers and staff are concerned about their position

Staff are busy at the Santa Ana Educators Association, and many members, like Jennifer Castro, are currently in limbo, waiting to find out if their job is in jeopardy.

“To be completely honest, it is hard to come in every day with that hanging over my head,” Castro said.

Castro has been a teacher for four years in the Santa Ana School District and said the news blindsided her.

“To think of having to find another opportunity that’s not directly working with kids or impacting kids, teaching them social and emotional skills, being their rock, being their support system is really devastating to me,” Castro said.

The Santa Ana Unified School District is facing a $187 million budget deficit and will have to lay off around 300 teachers and student counselors.

District Associate Superintendent Ron Hacker said declining enrollment and the impact of the pandemic are to blame.

“We kept the supports in place for as long as possible, but it is no longer to continue them. It is not financially sustainable. So, at this point in time, we do have to execute some layoffs,” Hacker said.

Hacker said this isn’t the first time the district has faced a financial deficit. In 2017 and 2018, there was a structural deficit in place.

“The board had made a decision to do a layoff. When it came time for the final hearing, the board rescinded all of those layoffs,” Hacker said.

The district’s decision also has parents speaking up, like Jennifer Mollineda. She said she’s concerned the layoffs will affect her and other children’s quality of learning.

“Over population of the students in the classrooms will hinder their education and the attention each child needs,” Mollineda said.

But the district said that’s not the case, claiming there will only be one or two additional students in most classrooms, classrooms and students that Castro said need her.

“I still try to come with a positive attitude and give my all to the students because they deserve it, whether I’m going to be here or not,” Castro said.

The statutory deadline to notify staff who are a part of the layoffs was March 15.