The layoff notices come as the school district is facing $2.5 million in cuts and is trying to galvanize public support for a parcel-tax measure to prevent the worst reductions.
But resting hope on Coastside voters is little comfort for the dozens of educators and employees at risk of losing their jobs. They fear the consequences are lost on both the public and school officials.
  
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“This is specifically to support school staff on a day when a significant number of people get pink slips,” said Amanda Robertson, a high-school counselor who is one of many who expects to receive a layoff notice. “These are cuts that will really impact our kids.”
School board members last month approved a tentative list of budget savings for next year, which includes cutbacks to athletic programs, elementary class sizes and many school positions. In addition, the district would layoff teachers, office staff, custodians, the district’s only certified librarian and all the counselors in the school system.
Most layoffs would be averted if Coastside voters approved the $150-per-parcel tax in June. The tax revenues would still leave the district with a $1 million deficit, but most of that shortfall could be filled with federal stimulus money.
Gathering at lunchtime on Tuesday, a small group of high school students were coloring signs for the Friday rally, featuring slogans such as “We (heart) teachers,” “We (heart) counselors,” and “We need Mr. Gerber” (the school librarian).
“A lot of valuable teachers and all the counselors could lose their jobs,” said student Natalie Sanchez. “You get close to them when you’re here … and losing them is going to hurt a lot of us.”
Sanchez and her classmates couldn’t say how well the student body as a whole understood the cuts threatening the high school. Chris Probert, the student body liaison to the school board, said he has tried to communicate the district cuts in his broadcasts for the student announcements.
Many students along with school employees and concerned locals joined the surge of “Stand up for Schools” demonstrations last week. Many dressed in red for that event, waved placards and cheered for car honks from passing motorists at locations in Half Moon Bay, El Granada and Montara.
For this week’s education rallies, organizers are asking people to dress in pink.
“They asked me to make pink foods,” said high school senior Kirsten Martin, who volunteered to bring the snack. “I guess that would be cupcakes or something.”
Active students and school employees are trying to get as many people as possible to come out to the Cabrillo school board meeting at 7 tonight at the Cunha Intermediate School Library. A larger rally is being planned from 6:45 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. on Friday at the base of campus at Lewis Foster Drive.
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