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Tech workers, principals and parents urge board to rescind layoffs and shore up after‑school funding
Summary
Tech staff and union representatives said layoff notices threaten daily instruction and Chromebook support at multiple high schools; principals and parents asked the board to address after‑school YMCA funding cuts and urgent teacher vacancies.
During the public comment period the board heard multiple speakers who urged the district to rescind recent layoff notices that affect central-office and school-site technical staff and to address losses in after‑school funding and classroom vacancies.
John Varga, representing IFPTE Local 21 ProTech bargaining unit, said the layoff notices will ‘‘have immediate and lasting negative impacts’’ if positions that maintain attendance databases and repair instructional technology are eliminated. Varga said the district has not explained how it will replace those functions or avoid saddling remaining staff with additional work.
A Wallenberg High School technician who identified himself as a tech at the school said the layoffs will leave one secretary expected to cover three jobs and remove the on-site staff who repair Chromebooks and assist students with devices in a one‑to‑one program. ‘‘If a Chromebook is broken or lost, now they have no one to go to,’’ the technician said.
Two principals and parent leaders also spoke about program funding and vacancies. Sarah Saldana, principal at Jean Parker Elementary, said state reductions to YMCA after‑school funding threaten slots for working families and that one after‑school teacher costs roughly $20,000; she asked the district to use networks to locate funds so incoming families will have spots next year. Laura Kennedy, a kindergarten parent at Yickmore Elementary, said seven of 45 kindergarteners had spent the year without a dedicated classroom teacher and urged the board to prioritize filling posted vacancies.
Why it matters: Tech layoffs could affect daily instruction and the district’s ability to maintain attendance and device fleets; after‑school funding and teacher vacancies directly affect families’ child care and classroom stability.
What the board did: The speakers asked the board to intervene or direct staff to return with plans; this session recorded public comment only—no immediate board action was taken on layoffs during the hearing.
Ending: Several speakers requested public posting of responses to written Q&A and asked that the district share concrete plans for replacing or retaining essential tech and student‑support positions.
