Benicia Unified board approves staff reductions to close budget gap, keeps full-time occupational therapist after public pushback

The Benicia Unified School District Board of Trustees voted to reduce staff and programs to address projected deficit spending, approving a certificated reduction resolution (24‑25‑25) and a classified reduction resolution (24‑25‑26) with an amendment to retain the district—s full‑time occupational therapist.

Superintendent Dr. Wright presented a revised proposal that would use $715,000 of one‑time funds and reduce roughly $2,500,000 from the district—s general fund to address ongoing deficit spending. Wright told the board the district projects a roughly $3.0 million deficit this year and about $2.0 million next year and that the proposed package would yield about $2.5 million in combined savings. He said the proposed cuts include steps intended to minimize personnel impacts where possible, but that, given that about 92% of the unrestricted budget is personnel, reductions would affect staff. (Dr. Adrian Wright, superintendent.)

The proposal identified roughly 3.2 certificated FTE reductions across Benicia Middle School and Benicia High School, reductions tied to declining enrollment and some unfilled positions, and adjustments to certain certificated management and specialized positions. Wright listed programs funded by one‑time COVID grants that could not be sustained without new funding (examples: wellness center staff, a 20% math coach, teacher coaching positions and other one‑time supports). He also proposed using Prop 28 funding to continue specified arts and band contractual costs where allowable.

The board also reviewed a set of vacant positions the district recommended removing from the budget (classified and certificated vacancies that have been unfilled, some since 2022). Wright said removing those vacant positions from the budget produces savings without removing existing staff, while other proposed reductions would require formal notice and could trigger bumping and reassignments under collective‑bargaining rules.

Public commenters urged the board to preserve special education, occupational therapy and mental‑health services. Marisol Charefa, the district—s occupational therapist, said OT caseloads and specialized classrooms have grown: "I support 33 students in the RISE program alone, 16 in the EMPOWER program, and my total caseload spans every school in the district," and warned that cuts "could put the district out of compliance" with federal law. Dr. Andrew Potter, clinical supervisor of the district—s mental health intern program, said the four interns together provide the equivalent of multiple staff days and serve "80 to a hundred students at any given time," arguing that eliminating the internship program would leave many students without counseling supports.

Trustees asked staff questions about whether programs could be restructured, how many positions were vacant, and the timeline for layoff notices. Wright and district counsel/HR staff said the board must issue preliminary notices by March 15 under state law; final notices, if needed, would be delivered by mid‑May, and the district would monitor interdistrict transfers and enrollments through May 15 to determine whether some notices could be rescinded.

On the motions before the board: the resolution to decrease particular kinds of certificated services (Resolution 24‑25‑25) was adopted on a roll‑call vote, 4 in favor, 1 opposed (vote recorded as: President Grubbs — yes; Trustee Hirsch — yes; Trustee Seda — yes; Trustee Musselli — yes; Trustee Manasi — no). The board then considered the classified reductions (Resolution 24‑25‑26). After public comment and an amendment proposed by trustees to retain the full‑time occupational therapist, the board adopted Resolution 24‑25‑26 as amended (the amendment preserved the occupational therapist position at full time). The district also approved a contract, if needed, with the Office of Administrative Hearings to handle any required layoff hearings.

Nut graf: The board—s actions reduce budgeted positions and reallocate one‑time funds to help close a multimillion‑dollar shortfall, but they leave several contested services—the occupational‑therapy position and mental‑health internships—under special scrutiny after parents, clinicians and community groups argued those functions are legally required or essential to student safety and to avoid costlier future interventions.

What the reductions will mean in practice remains partly contingent on enrollment changes, interdistrict transfers and employee attrition; the district said it will monitor weekly and may rescind notices if enrollment improves. The board and public highlighted two choices going forward: identify new revenue sources (for example, local fundraising or grants), or enact additional personnel reductions that would affect classroom or support services. The Kyle Hyland Foundation and other community groups offered partnership proposals to help maintain wellness and mental‑health services; trustees said outside partnerships could be part of future discussions.

Ending: The board—s preliminary notices are required by March 15; final confirmation of layoffs would follow statutory timelines and any required hearings. Trustees said they will continue to monitor enrollment and funding and to report back at subsequent meetings as the district moves from preliminary notices toward final staffing decisions.