Click the play button on the video window the the right to see the storyThe Mesa Unified School District is expected to notify 210 teachers on Monday they may not have jobs next year.
In addition, the district plans to cut 100 classified personnel.
District spokeswoman Kathy Bareiss said the cuts are a huge cost cutting measure.
"We're looking at 30 to 60 million dollars," said Bareiss.
District officials met with principals Friday to let them know how many staff they will lose at each school.
The 310 cuts do not include any one-year contract employees who might not be hired back.
"It (Monday) will be a very difficult day," said Bareiss.
The Mesa Unified School District is the largest school district in the state with more than 69,000 students and 11,000 employees.
In February, the district sent letters to those 600 employees reminding them of their one-year status and that they might not be employed in the fall.
The "reduction in force" notices will be given to school staff members by principals, said Janice Ramierez, assistant superintendent of human resources.
Arizona school districts are required by law to let certified staff members know by April 15 if their contracts will not be renewed the following school year.
Under current budget projections - which could cut between $30 million and $60 million from the district's nearly $400 million operating budget - the district is forced to plan for less staff, she said.
"It doesn't look good, this isn't good," said Lauri Asleson who has a 9-year-old daughter in the school system.
Asleson said she had heard about the cuts but didn't realize so many teachers would be effected, which could have an impact on her child's education.
"I think that's (budget cuts) wrong because the education of our young children is very important, they are our future," said Asleson.
It is possible that Mesa won't see as many cuts as state lawmakers sort out the state budget and how to adjust for a predicted $3.3 billion revenue shortfall. Then some released staff members could be asked back, Ramierez said.
In addition to potential state budget cuts, the district was already anticipating a $10 million loss next year due to declining enrollment.
The looming cuts to staff have been hard to handle for administrators according Bareiss.
"They (principals) have hired people who are part of their school family and for them to lose even one staff member is a heartache," said Bareiss.
This year, 2,000 fewer students enrolled and the district expects the same decline in the fall. Arizona schools receive the bulk of their state funding based on the number of students they have.
"I think all the parents should get together and address this issue because like I said, education is the future for all children," said Asleson.
