Parents, staff and union representatives press board on librarian cuts and school staffing

During the public-comment portion of the Yakima School District Board meeting on June 17, multiple speakers urged the board to retain librarians and classroom staff and raised concerns about administrator transfers.

Teresa Maldonado, speaking during the public-comment period, told the board she has been discouraged from attending meetings and urged trustees to "listen to the students from Washington Middle School" and allow them to keep their vice principal. "Don't be laying them off. Keep them because they're essential to our education," Maldonado said, adding that teachers often act as mentors and provide stability for students.

Francis (Franny) Guerrero of the Yakima Education Association told the board earlier in his report that he wants the board to understand educators’ purpose and warned against treating meetings as an afterthought. Guerrero specifically referenced staffing reductions: "I don't see the point in scheduling a meeting to discuss the effects of cutting librarians when they've already been cut," he said, and urged more regular meetings between staff and the board so difficult decisions are discussed earlier.

Michael Clark of Ridgeview Elementary emphasized that K–3 class-size reduction funds represent both services and jobs. "K 3 class size reduction funds. Those are jobs for our members," he told the board. Clark described the funds as "educational services for our kids, and those are family wage jobs for our community" and urged the district to maximize the funds each year.

Speakers requested clarity about who authorized librarian and teacher reductions and sought opportunities to engage the board directly on staffing decisions. Board members did not take formal action on staffing during the meeting; staff and board members did acknowledge the public comments and the need for continued dialogue.