By KATHERINE ROSENBERG, Editor

LUCERNE VALLEY - Some 50 teachers were issued notices that they may potentially be laid off this year, according to Lucerne Valley Unified School District Superintendent Mike Noga, who said state budget cuts are the driving factor.

Noga said that all teachers from the elementary school to the high school were given these notices as he and the school board have only a short window of time to notify their employees that budget cuts may reduce the staff size. He said that no one has been officially terminated at this time and that he and the board have every intention of retaining as many of those teachers as possible.

The notice to the teachers says, “I regret to inform you that it has been recommended, and the governing board has determined on June 11, 2009, that you be notified that your services may not be required for the ensuing school year. Nothing in this letter should be construed as a reflection on you or the quality of service you have rendered to the District and its students. The District is compelled by the fiscal realities of the shortfall of state funding to reduce these particular kinds of services.”

Noga said that dwindling funds and enrollment have pushed the board into this course of action, which was essentially taken to give the board more time to look at the numbers and come up with an alternative.

“I would like to expect to hire everybody back, but I can’t guarantee that. What I can guarantee the teachers and the community members and parents and students is that we are working towards maintaining a district serving K-12 ... that holds the necessary accreditation.”

For the full story, read Wednesday's Leader. To subscribe to the Lucerne Valley Leader call 248-7878.

Katherine Rosenberg can be reached at 248-7878 or by e-mail at krosenberg@vvdailypress.com.