Ventura County school districts, and other districts throughout the state, sent teachers, counselors and others final layoff notices this week, though fewer jobs will be in jeopardy than first thought.

In March, school districts statewide sent more than 14,000 layoff notices to credentialed employees, including an estimated 600 in Ventura County alone.

School officials said they were preparing for one of the worst state budgets they have ever seen, citing steep cuts proposed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The state budget won't be finalized until this summer, and the Legislature might oppose the cuts.

School districts, however, are required by law to notify credentialed employees by March 15 if they could possibly lose their positions, and final notices must be sent out by today.

New totals weren't available this week, but several local districts said the numbers are dropping, and could go even lower with news that the governor's May budget revisions, released Wednesday, appear to include more money for public schools.

"It looks like it's better news," said Tony Knight, superintendent of the Oak Park Unified School District, which gave out 39 layoff notices in March and sent the same number of final notices earlier this month.

After seeing the May budget revisions, however, Knight said things could change when the school board meets to discuss cuts later this month.

Other districts said they had already made some changes, based on employees notifying them of retirements, finding other funding sources and based on higher student registration than expected.

In Ojai, for example, about 30 employees had received notices in March, and 17 received final notices this month.

The Rio School District approved eliminating 55 full-time teaching positions in March, and sent final notices to 42 teachers this week, a number district officials said they hope to keep lowering as they work to find other ways to save money.

The Las Virgenes Unified School District said two of 21 layoff notices have been rescinded by the district so far.

None of the districts could wait for the governor's May revisions to finalize those lists. The revised budget could change things, and then everything could shift again, after the Legislature weighs in on the budget.

"The way California does this is ludicrous," said Arleigh Kidd, executive director of the Unified Association of Conejo Teachers.

Teachers are left not knowing if they will be able to pay the rent or buy food, and they start looking elsewhere for jobs, particularly in hard economic times, Kidd said.

This year, state education officials say, recruiters from Nevada, Texas and Hawaii are offering California teachers more stability and, in some cases, bonuses to leave.

"We can't drive them to other states," state schools Superintendent Jack O'Connell said recently, advocating for more money for public education.

"The welcome mat must be put out and maintained for our teachers."