L.A. Unified to seek six furlough days for employees instead of 12

The budget picture has eased somewhat at the nation’s second-largest school system, with officials now asking employees to accept six unpaid furlough days instead of 12, officials said Thursday.

The need for fewer unpaid days off is the result of “the state’s promise to make good on some of its cash deferrals,” according to a statement from the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Even the reduced number of days off could result in a third consecutive shortened school year caused by the state budget crisis. The furloughs also would not forestall all layoffs -- some of which are due to declining enrollment and the expiration of federal economic stimulus funds, officials said.

The teachers union, United Teachers Los Angeles, responded by calling for an end to all layoffs and furlough days. Officials say L.A. Unified has consistently overstated the direness of its financial situation.

A union-led rally last week that called for more state education funding drew thousands. The union also scheduled a Tuesday demonstration at district headquarters.

L.A. Unified officials have called on UTLA to join other unions in accepting furlough days. On Thursday, the district announced its latest agreement, with Local 99 of the Service Employees International Union.

The Daily News first reported the district would seek fewer furlough days on Wednesday evening.

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-- Howard Blume