Galt teachers urge use of reserves for classrooms; board approves several staff reductions

Teachers, union leaders and a middle-school student used the public-comment period at a Galt Joint Union Elementary School District board meeting to press the board to use one-time or reserve funds for classroom needs and to avoid cuts they say will harm students. Later in the meeting the board voted unanimously to approve resolutions that will eliminate and reduce several classified and child-development positions.

Gaylene Gomez, president of the Galt Elementary Faculty Association, said the district’s teaching staff “are the same dedicated professionals who whose tireless work brings the district the higher than average scores in the county of Sacramento and the state of California.” She urged the board to deliver tools and supports that teachers need.

The union’s vice president, Amy Manjelli, criticized the district’s current reserve level and urged using money for classroom priorities: “Instead of a reserve 3 plus times the amount of the state required reserve, put the surplus reserve funds in the pockets of teachers who work with students every day,” Manjelli said, referencing the state-required reserve of 3 percent and the district’s then-reported 9 percent reserve.

Kristen Zipper, bargaining chair for the Galt Elementary Faculty Association, told the board that certificated salaries now make up a smaller share of the district budget than in prior years and asked the board to “show that you value your certificated employees” when considering compensation packages.

Other speakers described program impacts if staff are reduced. Karina, who identified herself as a current home visitor and former instructional assistant, said the home-visitor role provides developmental screening, referrals and biweekly home visits and asked the district to “reevaluate the impact that its elimination might have on this program and services currently provided.” A staff presentation later in the meeting described the home-visitor caseload as about 20 families, with playgroups and developmental screenings as part of the work.

After debate and staff explanations about enrollment and program changes, the board approved two related resolutions. Resolution 242.572 authorized elimination of specific classified positions “based on uncertainty of staffing for programs and student enrollment.” The agenda and staff presentation listed the positions proposed for elimination: one instructional preschool position (3.75 hours), one early childhood home visitor (8 hours), one bilingual instructional assistant (3.75 hours), and one general instructional assistant (3.75 hours). The motion to approve 242.572 was made by Trustee Matthew Ward, seconded by Trustee Annette Coonsie, and the board recorded unanimous aye votes from Trustees Catherine Harper, Annette Coonsie, Wesley Cagle, Casey Raboy and Matthew Ward.

A second resolution, 242.573, reduced the number of child-development permit teachers by one (a preschool teaching position). District staff explained the preschool reduction was tied to four-year-olds moving into transitional kindergarten (TK) next year, which shifts enrollment and staffing needs. Trustee Catherine Harper moved to approve 242.573; Trustee Wesley Cagle seconded; the motion passed unanimously.

District staff told the board the home-visitor role had been supported earlier by grant funding that sunset and that when grant funds ended the district used state preschool funds; staff said those state preschool funds must be redirected to the preschool program if budget or program requirements change.

The board’s votes formalize reductions that staff said would be revisited if enrollment or program conditions change: the district indicated positions could be restored if the need returns. The union and public commenters urged the board to prioritize classroom supports, curriculum and teacher pay over increasing the district reserve.

Ending: The board voted on the two resolutions during the same meeting in which district teachers and union representatives delivered public comments urging the district to use reserves for instructional priorities. District officials said the changes respond to enrollment, program funding and grant expirations; board members said they would revisit staffing if conditions change.