Santa Rosa City Schools trustees have approved a massive $14.4 million budget cut, a “painful” move designed to fend off a state takeover of the district.
Per the Press Democrat, the plan eliminates more than 100 positions—including entire groups of counselors and mental health staff—while also confirming the closure of Steele Lane Elementary and Hilliard Comstock Middle School this June.
Despite emotional pleas from parents and teachers, board members say the cuts are necessary to address what state analysts call the worst cash crisis of any public school system in California.
The district now faces a March 15 deadline to notify affected staff as they scramble to identify a total of $34 million in savings to keep the schools solvent.
