To pay for some of the $640 million deficit in the L.A. city budget, a vote is in place that would result in some 4,000 L.A.U.S.D. employees being fired.

“Recommended by district financial staff in a report to be reviewed today by the school board, the move would virtually eliminate school nurses and librarians, increase all class sizes, including a high of up to 44 students in middle school, and boost counselor loads to 1,000 students each,” the Daily News reported. “Layoff notices would also go out to nearly 1,000 janitors and maintenance workers and 520 school office workers, if the board approves the recommendations.”

Historically, many layoffs get rescinded after May 15 when funding is managed or unions succeed in applying pressure to the city. Due to the severity of the budget shortfall, however, no such optimism lingers this time around.