Assembly Bill 114 says school districts must spend the same amount next year on programs and teacher salaries, as they do this year.  At first blush, this would seem to prevent any future layoffs.  But, Paul Hefner with State Superintendent Tom Torlakson's office says districts are at risk of going bankrupt if the law is signed. The state already has four districts in receivership. 

PAUL HEFNER: "Clearly if we're going to prevent layoffs at schools and school districts, we're going to have to give the districts the resources to make those payments. They have to have the money to provide that support to their employees.  Unfortunately, the state budget appears to fall short of the dollars needed to do that.

The California School Board's Association is complaining the bill was never heard by a committee nor made available for public comment.