[KHTS] – Castaic Union school officials are still facing several tough choices, primarily about school transportation needs, despite being able to pull back nine more pink slips, which brings the total number of rescinded layoff notices to 21 Monday.

Officials would like to rescind all of the pink slips, said Castaic board President Steve Teeman, but there’s just not enough in the district’s general fund.

“We don’t want to eliminate anyone,” Teeman said, “but we’re forced to because we have to come in within a budget constraint.”
Now that the board is getting a clearer picture of what can be cut versus what has to be, staff is looking at the $250,000 spent each year on bus transportation for the geographically spread out district, and determining if some of that money could be used to keep even more teachers in the classroom.

It also reached an agreement with outgoing Superintendent Jim Gibson, although district officials would not comment on the deal, other than to confirm a closed session report.

A worst-case scenario projection earlier in the school year anticipated a possible 45.6 layoffs. With Monday’s move, the total number of layoffs is closer to 23.

The Castaic Union School District provides transportation for all of its students, but legally, the district is only required to provide it to special education students, per state law.

However, Teeman, who said his daughter took advantage of the bus program while she was at Castaic Elementary, acknowledged that certain portions of the district are pretty far-flung. Busing might be more of a necessary service than for students living in the more densely populated regions closer to campus.

There’s been a “strong influence” to consolidate busing to the most remote areas, Teeman said, in an effort to save more teachers’ jobs.

No decision has been made, yet, he added, and the board will continue to work on solutions until the final state budget numbers provide a more definitive picture.

“It’s something that is still ongoing,” Teeman said. “It’s still being discussed and we’re still looking at the alternatives.”
Castaic officials placed Gibson on paid administrative leave earlier this month, naming Janene Maxon the interim superintendent at their last meeting.

Regarding Gibson’s leaving the district, the board agenda notes only “approval of compromise and release agreement with (a) Certificated Management employee,” in a closed executive session meeting.

District officials could not comment on any specifics regarding the agreement at this time on the advice of legal counsel, Teeman said.