( CNN ) -- Just a few weeks after the Los Angeles Unified School District approved thousands of pink slips for employees , incoming superintendent John Deasy has requested a pay cut . The superintendent position pays an annual salary of $ 330,000 . But Deasy , who is currently serving as deputy superintendent , sent a letter to the district requesting he keep his current salary of $ 275,000 , according to A.J Duffy , president of the teachers union . Duffy said the request comes as the district is dealing with budget shortfalls and after it approved layoffs for more than 5,000 teachers , and health and human services personnel . The teachers union is praising Deasy 's decision . `` Bravo John , you did the right thing , '' Duffy said . Deasy was appointed superintendent in January and will begin his new job on April 15 .
Position pays an annual salary of $ 330,000 . The position is the highest paid in the state, and has a staff that includes over 100 people. He seeks to keep his current salary of $ 275,000 , teachers union leader says .