Cortines says LA Unified can’t keep cutting

The Los Angeles Unified board could sign off tomorrow on a budget that will cut thousands of teachers from the school district’s payroll. At the same time, the board might also move ahead to put a parcel tax on an upcoming ballot as a way to avoid even deeper budget cuts.

L.A. Unified Superintendent Ray Cortines told KPCC’s “AirTalk” that L.A. schools can’t afford more cuts.

Ramon Cortines: "We might as well not have public education. When you do not have adequate nurses, adequate libraries, and I will not increase class size any more because what I have recommended, especially at the middle and high school, is very unrealistic.

"It is not in the best interest of students or staff. So I just think that the way we are operating in this state is ludicrous. "

The district has already sent 2,500 preliminary layoff notices to teachers. It's also severely curtailed its summer school program.