THE SACRAMENTO OBSERVER — California is hiring a fiscal consultant to help San Francisco Unified — which is currently facing a $116 million shortfall — figure out how to slash 13% of its $1 billion annual budget. Hayward Unified is considering closing an elementary school — one that primarily serves immigrant families — to plug budget gaps. West Contra Costa Unified, confronting a possible $30 million deficit, says it may have to lay off teachers.| Sacramento Observer | CalMatters Network (CALMATTERS) – California school districts have two choices: Bite the bullet and make budget cuts now or delay them and face even more painful decisions. That was the ultimatum Michael Fine, CEO of the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team, a school finance agency, delivered to district leaders last week. But warnings […]