(03-10) 17:55 PDT SAN FRANCISCO - -- With 362 pink slips for San Francisco teachers in the mail, Mayor Gavin Newsom vowed today to give schools $23 million from the city's Rainy Day fund, doubling the amount he previously promised.
The district sent the layoff notices Monday by certified mail. School officials said the money would help save nearly 300 jobs, if not more.
The Board of Supervisors is expected to also support the allocation.
Once the district gets that in writing, it can rescind most if not all those pink slips, said school Superintendent Carlos Garcia. "We're really concerned about the impact it has on morale."
The amount of the Rainy Day funds coming to city schools has been a source of contention since the end of February.
Proposition G, passed by voters in 2003, created a pot of money filled in good economic times to be drawn down when times are tough. The measure said the school district can qualify for up to 25 percent of the fund's total - which stands at $92 million.
The mayor, however, said the district might only qualify for 25 percent of what's left after the city takes its share - leaving only $11.5 million for the schools.
The mayor and controller said Tuesday the schools qualify for the full 25 percent - $23 million.
"Those tough times are here and I want to prevent teacher layoffs by using our rainy day fund to aid the school district," Newsom said in a statement.
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