Pacific Grove Unified outlines staff reductions, board asks for non-student-facing options

Superintendent Dr. Adamson presented proposals Feb. 6 for staff and program reductions intended to address a projected structural deficit in Pacific Grove Unified School District (PGUSD) and to align recurring expenses with expected revenues.

The proposals, presented by Buck Rogerman, the district's chief human resources officer, would cut a mix of certificated and classified positions and change some contracted services. Rogerman said the district faces a projected unrestricted general fund deficit of about $868,000 at the first interim report and multi-year deficit spending that “now requires our action to ensure our district's long term fiscal stability.”

The district's staff offered a package of reductions and additions intended to yield roughly $1.25 million in net savings for 2025–26, including a proposed 4.0 full-time-equivalent (FTE) reduction in elementary classroom teachers, reductions to some instructional-assistant hours, the loss of an itinerant digital-learning teacher and elimination or reduction of several contracted services. At the same time, staff recommended retaining or adding certain roles they described as essential, including two mental-health therapist positions and elementary intervention support.

“Every position and program that we're discussing in relation to the budget represents dedicated professionals who…