The Anderson Union High School District held a Special Board meeting to discuss and then vote on the lay-offs of three temporary teaching positions, and cut backs on the number of classes being offered next year.

The amount of time the district has cut equates into 8.4 teaching positions, with five full-time teachers being laid-off and other teachers going to part time status as the number of class section being offered are cut.

"Some of (the teacher lay-offs) may change as we get additional notices of retirements or people moving creating open positions, it's still too early to know," said Tim Azevedo, superintendent of Anderson Union High School District.

"Class sizes will be affected, however I think that we still have one of the lowest, if not the lowest, ratio of the high schools in the area."

Areas that are taking a hit will be independent study, the Community Day School teaching services, math, science, English, social science, welding, physical education, computer, video production, imaging, graphic design and music.

"Our course offerings are mostly the same as last year. We're just not having as many sections as we did in the past. We are still offering all the cores, the arts, music, ag, etc.," said Azevedo.

"We are shifting some funding to give relief to the General Fund. It's a combination of several things to address the budget."

"The reductions in staffing for the high school district is a regrettable event for us," said Jeff Carr, president of the California Teachers Association. "Over 10% of our certificated unit received full or partial lay off notices and that will have a noticeable and grave effect on the types of programs we are able to offer for kids and on the class sizes that the community will see in the Fall."

"The severity of the cuts in staffing comes from the fact that we were able to use federal stimulus money to re-employ people for this current school year to keep valuable teachers and to keep money flowing in our local economy at stores and restaurants in the South County."

Which according to Carr, means that the cuts are really two years worth tied to declining enrollment being taken in "single year."

"I have been impressed with the brave manner in which our teachers took the news when we met with them to discuss their lay-offs. The public can be proud of the quality of our staff in the Anderson Union High School District," said Carr in an email.