Live Oak School District

Live Oak School District’s governing board unanimously approved a plan Wednesday to cut positions and reorganize others to resolve its ongoing budget crisis during a contentious and emotional meeting at which board member Jeremy Ray briefly walked out and threatened to resign.

The Live Oak School District governing board unanimously approved layoffs totaling the equivalent of 42.32 full-time positions during its special meeting Tuesday night. And teachers announced a vote of no confidence in Superintendent Daisy Morales.

The Live Oak School District governing board will attempt to vote, for a second time, on layoffs during a special meeting Tuesday night. Many teachers and parents say the district needs to find other ways to get out of its budget crisis. The district is proposing to add more potential layoffs focused on administrative jobs.

Live Oak School District is facing a tight deadline to approve its budget-stabilization plan because of a state law requiring that layoff notices be issued by March 15. Parents and teachers urged the board to avoid all cuts at its Wednesday board meeting.

Live Oak School District’s governing board is set to discuss a proposal Wednesday to lay off the equivalent of nearly 40 full-time positions as part of efforts to slash its budget by nearly $3 million in the face of declining enrollment. Superintendent Daisy Morales has also proposed rescinding salary increases that the board approved for Morales and several assistant superintendents earlier this month.

Live Oak School District’s board heard from teachers and parents Wednesday on the recent news that the board faced a financing crisis. Among the concerns: higher-than-average administrative costs and preserving the jobs most important to student well-being.