The Hart district spared its teachers, but issued preliminary layoff notices to all of its assistant principals as the Santa Clarita Valley's largest school district prepares to cut $15 million from its budget, officials said Tuesday.

Along with 37 assistant principals, the district gave notices to two coordinators, a specialist and a director, William S. Hart Union High School District spokeswoman Pat Willett said. None of the Hart district's teachers received preliminary notices, she said.

The announcement came after three elementary school districts, Sulphur Springs, Newhall and Saugus Union school districts, sent a combined 231 preliminary notices to teachers, counselors and assistant principals last week.

The Hart district counts 1,073 certificated staff, which includes teachers, counselors, librarians and administrators, Willett said. The 23,000-student district oversees six junior high schools and six high schools, along with other specialized programs.

School districts are required to send preliminary notices by March 15. Final decisions about any layoffs will be made in May. During that time, assistant principals may have the option to be reassigned to a different position within the district, Willett said.

Each junior high school has two assistant principals while each high school has four, Willett said.

Besides stepping in as principal when needed and disciplining students, assistant principals carry different responsibilities depending on the school, Willett said. One may oversee the athletics program while another would be in charge of special education.

Having fewer assistant principals would stretch the administrators who remain.

"(It) doesn't relinquish the duties and responsibilities that schools have," Golden Valley High School Principal Sal Frias said.

Fewer administrators would create a domino effect, putting more pressure on others at the school.

"There will be an impact ultimately on student achievement," he said.

Final layoffs have not been determined and the district does not intend to wipe out all assistant principals from every site, she said.

The district will also take into account attrition and the possibility of offering a retirement incentive program, which encourages senior employees to retire early, she said.

Hart district board members joined other local educators and recently sent a resolution to state lawmakers opposing further cuts to education and urging California's political leaders to make education a priority.

Income at the Hart district has dropped by $20.2 million in recent years.