Glendora Unified Averts Layoffs

With an expected increase of new average daily attendance, the Glendora Unified School district was able to stave off sending out pink slips to certificated staff this year.

The district anticipates 162 new ADA for the next school year, allowing the district to avoid layoffs for the first time since 2009.

“That’s a big relief and a big joy for the district and all the teachers as well,” said Dominic DiGrazia, director of personnel services.

Despite the district's continued declining enrollment, an increase in District of Choice enrollment boosted ADA, which is used to determine state funding to school districts.

“We are expecting more students next year and if we are maintaining similar class sizes, we’re going to need more teachers,” said DiGrazia.

Temporary staff will be let go at the end of the school year, although DiGrazia said most of them are rehired at the beginning of the school year and placed at the levels and sites where they are needed.

The district will be taking one furlough day on June 7.

But the uncertainties in state funding continue, said Assistant Superintendent Marc Chaldu.

The district’s average cash balance has significantly fallen through continued cash deferrals from the state, which Chaldu said has cut the expected balance by nearly 50 percent.

The district does not expect to see the deferred cash until after June 30, much to the chagrin of district officials.

“Thank goodness for District of Choice, imagine where we would be without it,” said School Board Member Doug Ferrell. “But as those kids come and they continue to defer the money, we still have to provide the service to those children.”

The district borrowed in order to make up for the shortfall.