Natomas Unified will run out of cash when the new fiscal year starts in July. A deadline to solve those financial problems has come and gone. So on Wednesday, the county office of education formally asked the state to start the takeover process - which gives the district a loan but also replaces its leadership.
Plough: "This is a great community. We have wonderful staff members. We cannot let this district be taken over by the state."
Natomas Superintendent Bobbie Plough says the district wants its employees to take an eight percent pay cut. But Cynthia Connell with the Natomas Teachers Association says that's too much.
Connell: "We do really recognize the situation. But we are really looking to continue bargaining with the district."
The district could declare an impasse in negotiations and try to impose the pay cut unilaterally if there's no deal by early next week.