Call to Action: HALF OF ELEMENTARY MUSIC TEACHING POSITIONS TO BE ELIMINATED NEXT YEAR/THE REST THE YEAR AFTER THAT - Meeting at the new high school for the arts Tuesday evening

Steve Venz writes

• 83 music teaching positions (50% of LAUSD elementary music teachers) will be  eliminated in the  2010-2011 school year due to the budget crisis.
• The LAUSD budget for the following year 2011-2012 will eliminate the remaining 50% of elementary music teachers.
• ALL music and arts students and teachers will all be affected directly or indirectly by this new development.
• Those teachers who have been teaching for 1 to 4 years will be among
  the first to be laid-off, no matter where they may be currently teaching. 
• All teacher lay-offs are based on seniority within the school district. 
• For example, if an elementary music teacher's position is eliminated, that music teacher may take the place of a middle or high school music teacher, if she/he has been teaching in LAUSD longer than the middle or high school music teacher.  

I hope you will be able to attend the plan-of-action meeting at the new
arts high school on December 1st, 6:30 pm.

LOS ANGELES HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS Working Title: Central High School #9 450 N. Grand Avenue @  Cesar Chavez (Sunset) Blvd Downtown 6:30 PM    |    map+directions

The purpose of this meeting is to coordinate efforts to preserve these
music  jobs within LAUSD and stop this destructive  trend.  We need to take
action in order to change the current budget for the 2010-2011 school year.
Superintendent Cortines will be present, so this will be our chance to
demonstrate that there is support and demand for arts education
throughout LAUSD.  

Given the devastating results of these cuts, we also recommend that you
bring at least one active parent and/or arts colleague with you.

Hope to see you there.
Best wishes,
Steve
Steve Venz
Vice President, California Music Educators Association