Board approves transportation reimbursement plan, staff‑reduction notices and appoints assistant superintendent; classified reductions also authorized

The Western Placer Unified School District Board of Trustees voted on several administrative items Monday, including approval of an annual transportation plan necessary for state reimbursement, preliminary resolutions to notify certificated and classified staff of potential reductions for 2025–26, and the appointment of an assistant superintendent of educational services.

Transportation plan: The board approved the district’s emergency/reimbursement transportation plan (agenda item 7.3). District staff said the plan must be presented before April 1 to qualify for state reimbursement; staff reported that the new reimbursement program increased the district’s eligible transportation reimbursement from about $300,000 historically to more than $700,000 for the current year. The board motion passed by voice vote.

Certificated staff reduction resolution: The board approved Resolution 24‑25.24, which authorizes preliminary notices for potential reductions in certificated staff due to elimination or reduction of particular kinds of service (agenda item 7.4). Staff said the preliminary actions reflect enrollment changes, timing of funding streams and master scheduling needs; the item listed a potential reduction of 1.5 FTE in special education and possible reductions in art and computer‑science sections at 12 Bridges High School. The resolution authorizes district staff to serve required preliminary notices; final notices would return to the board before the statutory May 15 deadline.

Classified staff reduction resolution: The board approved Resolution 24‑25.25 to provide preliminary notices to classified employees whose positions may be reduced for 2025–26 (agenda item 7.5). Staff said the item affects up to 43 classified positions, many of them first‑grade instructional aides previously funded through pandemic and LCAP supplemental sources; CSEA and district staff negotiated some alternatives and reduced hours on a few positions where possible. The board passed the resolution by roll call.

Appointment of assistant superintendent: The board approved the superintendent’s appointment of Jen Hylatin (transcript: “Jen Hylatin” as presented) to the assistant superintendent for educational services effective July. The board approved a two‑year initial contract and placement on the district’s administrative salary schedule; trustees expressed appreciation for Hylatin’s work and support for a smooth transition.

CSBA delegate election: The board cast its internal vote to support two candidates for the CSBA delegate assembly, selecting Jessica Spade and Jonathan Zapperson for the region’s ballot submission.

Consent agenda: Earlier the board approved the consent agenda by roll call (standard consent items were not read into the record during the discussion portion).

Notes on procedure and next steps: Several of the staff reduction items were described as preliminary notices required by law; staff indicated affected employees with seniority rights will be offered vacant positions and that final notices, if any, will be returned to the board by the legal deadlines. The board took no action on compensation during this meeting; public comment on bargaining and salaries occurred earlier in the evening.

Ending: The meeting closed after additional informational items and scheduling; the board will reconvene for its next regular meeting as posted.