Burbank Unified officials cast a dire future for local schools during a community meeting Thursday.
After years of state budget cuts, the district is preparing to slash its budget again and may lay off teachers and staff, increase class sizes and consider a shorter school year.
By the end of this school year, the district faces a $4.4-million deficit, according to Assistant Supt. Christine Statton.
By the end of 2013-14, that structural deficit is projected to jump to $6.9 million.
“A lot of people have heard ‘The sky is falling,'” Statton said. “What's happened is, it's a slow, gradual downward slope that is almost coming to a cliff right now.”
With 83% of the district's budget supporting school employees and their benefits, officials are grappling with the next stage of cuts.
Because Gov. Jerry Brown recently granted permission for state schools to shorten the next school year, Burbank Unified could reduce instruction days from 180 to 160 and save the district $9 million, officials reported.