The California Area School District plans to operate with nearly 23% less teachers next year, according to the California Area Education Association. At last night’s virtual meeting, the board voted 5-3 to furlough staff members – a total of 14 teachers according to the association. The move comes as the district struggles to balance next year’s budget – which faces an over 1-million-dollar deficit. The district cited unknowns related to COVID-19 and the absence of in-lieu-of-taxes payments from Cal U as the major shortfalls. However, the board voted to remove a referendum on the June ballot that would have raised taxes over the allowable limit to generate additional funds. It is unclear at this time how the district will manage its shortfall. In other business, the district voted to hire Dr. Laura Jacob (Assistant to the Superintendent at Connellsville) as their new superintendent to replace retiring Michael Sears effective July 1st.