Monday is the first official day of work for the new superintendent of the San Diego Unified School District.

Terry Grier joins the district as hundreds of teachers, counselors and nurses face layoff following Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposed $4.4 billion cut to education funding statewide.

The 57-year-old career educator from North Carolina was hired in January to replace Carl Cohn, who stepped down 18 months before his contract was to end.

Grier was head of the Guilford County Schools, the third-largest pre-kindergarten through 12th grade system in North Carolina, with 71,400 students, for eight years. The SDUSD has about 135,000 students.

Grier, who has said he wants to work on reducing dropout rates, raising graduation rates and attracting qualified teachers to San Diego, will be paid $269,000 per year.

Grier spent part of his day speaking with students and staff at two local schools before holding a press conference to talk about proposed budget cuts.

Grier and State Superintendent Jack O'Connell joined forces in criticizing Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposed education budget cuts.

A crowd of students held signs at Lincoln High School that demonstrated their disapproval of the proposed state cutbacks.

Some fear a number of school programs would be cut and class sizes would double.

"We have to be able to provide quality education to our children because they are the future of this community, this city, this state, and I do hope we send that message loud and clear," said Grier.

O'Connell added, "You've heard of 'No Child Left Behind.' If this proposed budget of the governor's passes, we will leave all of our children behind."

If the proposed budget is approved, nearly 24,000 teachers and support staff could lose their jobs.

Officials said many pink slips have already been mailed out.