By Jeff Hudson
Enterprise staff writer
The Davis Enterprise

Scores of teachers packed a conference room at the Davis school district's main office on Friday, as administrative law judge Jonathan Lew began the slow, detailed process of confirming the hiring dates and credentials held by more than 100 local teachers who could be laid off.

The atmosphere was edgy and tense — people's jobs were on the line. Many teachers wore pink, as a collective expression of sympathy.

"We don't want to see other people laid off," said Sharon McCorkell, a teacher at King High.

"We're all trying to be very respectful of the desire to keep our jobs, and keep our programs intact."

Scott Bell, a social studies and drama teacher at Da Vinci High, admitted he was "disheartened" as he waited for the hearing to begin. "But you've got to keep smiling and thinking about the kids" back in the classroom, he added.
As is often the case with jury duty, there were some delays before Friday's hearing got under way, as attorneys representing the Davis school district and the California Teachers Association huddled in conference.

Longtime teacher Cathy Haskell, a former president of the Davis Teachers Association, was one of several union stalwarts who attended in a supportive role. Haskell came dressed in pink, and brought snacks for people to sample during breaks.

"I'm just here to help people get questions answered," she said.

"Its a crazy process," Haskell added. She said there hadn't been a similar hearing in Davis since the early 1990s, and at that time, only about 15 or 16 teachers were involved. This time, about 115 certificated employees (teachers and others) were noticed about possible layoffs.

Lew began the hearing by acknowledging "there is a lot of anxiety and uncertainty" in the room, adding that "you have a lot of company" because about 18,000 teachers have been pink-slipped up and down the state. Lew said one district had noticed upwards of 500 teachers.

Attorney Terry Filliman, representing the school district, said that of the 115 local certificated employees who had received notice of potential layoff, nearly 90 had asked to take part in the hearing. Filliman then launched a lengthy, and somewhat dry, explanation of the "bumping" procedures, under which a teacher holding multiple credentials can be laid off in one area, but "bump" a less senior teacher in another area and retain a job.

Local school board trustee Susan Lovenburg observed portions of the hearing.
"I'm here in order to better understand the layoff process that is deeply affecting our school community," Lovenburg said.

Sally Palow, a Montessori teacher with a classroom serving students in grades 4-5-6 at Birch Lane Elementary, spoke in the afternoon, explaining that the Montessori credential she holds takes several years to earn, and is recognized by the federal Department of Education.

The Davis school district's Montessori master plan requires teachers in the program to earn the Montessori credential.

Palow said the layoff or reassignment of multiple Montessori teachers would have a "devastating result" on the 7-year-old program at Birch Lane.
But it wasn't immediately clear Friday whether Lew — who works for a state agency that thus far hasn't recognized the Montessori credential — would put Palow or other Montessori teachers on the "skip list" in terms of layoff order.

The hours passed slowly, and some of the legal explanations were "as dry as dust," as one teacher who asked to remain anonymous put it.

By 3 p.m., Bell, the Da Vinci teacher, admitted he was "saddle sore and tired" after sitting through the long session.

The hearings are scheduled to resume Monday, and conclude Tuesday. Then, after the layoff order list is generated, the school board will decide on or about May 15 how many jobs can be saved by donations raised by the Davis Schools Foundation.