Board questions hiring-freeze compliance after dozens of job postings amid layoffs

Public comment and a sustained line of board questioning on Jan. 13 focused on the district's stated hiring freeze and the large number of job postings visible on the district portal.

Resident Faith Sweeney asked the board directly: "When is the superintendent search taking place, and how will you inform and include the community?" She also called attention to archived agenda packets and minutes that were not accessible online. After public comment, board members pressed district leadership for clarity about whether the hiring freeze announced Nov. 8 remains in effect and which positions are exempt.

"Is the district still participating in a districtwide hiring freeze pursuant to the letter that was sent out on Nov. 8, 2024?" Board member Christine Baptiste Perez asked. Dom Castillo, representing human resources, answered that the district remains under a hiring freeze but that several categories are exempt: special education teachers, science teachers and long-term substitutes. The superintendent later confirmed that the freeze also exempts ESL positions and other designated shortage areas.

Board members and staff diverged over why non‑exempt roles continued to appear on the job portal. Dr. Avery and Human Resources staff explained that the district posts positions to build applicant pools so that, when the freeze lifts or an exception is granted, qualified applicants are available rather than having to start recruitment from scratch. "Just because we're posting for them doesn't mean that we're currently hiring for that position," Dr. Avery said. HR described a process in which hiring requests are submitted, reviewed by finance for available funding, and then posted.

Several trustees pressed that posting vacancies while publicly explaining an active hiring freeze could be misleading and could harm the district’s reputation as an employer. Board member Christine Baptiste Perez called the practice "disingenuous" in the context of ongoing layoffs and a budget deficit.

Why it matters: The exchange matters because the timing and transparency of hiring practices intersect with active layoff notices, contract recall rights and projected savings. Board members said they need clearer, up‑to‑date reports on which positions are funded, which remain open and how posting activity affects the budget outlook.

What the administration said: Nestor, the district’s chief financial officer, told the board the accountant position that appeared on the portal was advertised and interviewed earlier and was being cleared administratively. HR said it would follow up on outstanding postings and report back with specifics. Dr. Avery and HR staff agreed to deliver a list of positions previously advertised, the funding source for each role and whether any posted opening is intended to be filled during the freeze.

Ending: Trustees asked staff to provide an itemized list showing positions posted since Nov. 8, the funding source for each posting and whether the posting is active only to build a pool or represents intent to hire immediately. Several board members said they wanted that report by the next meeting so they could reconcile stated policy and public messaging.

Direct quotes • "Just because we're posting for them doesn't mean that we're currently hiring for that position." — Dr. Avery, interim superintendent. • "Posting positions that we have no intention for hiring immediately reflects poorly on the district as an employer." — Board member Christine Baptiste Perez.

Ending note: The board directed HR and finance staff to supply a detailed posting and funding inventory and to clarify which positions are exempt from the freeze and why.