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Board approves staff reductions, hires and transfers as district balances budget amid enrollment decline
Summary
The Douglas Unified School District board approved a package of personnel actions and a reduction-in-positions plan tied to declining enrollment and budget constraints; the board also approved several routine hires, transfers and contract renewals and voted to oppose a proposed reduction in additional work days for some grant-funded staff.
At its meeting the Douglas Unified School District Board of Education approved multiple personnel actions intended to align staffing with declining enrollment and M&O (maintenance and operations) budget pressures while also authorizing routine hires and transfers.
Superintendent Nydia Samaniego presented a slate of recommendations that included certified contract renewals, a recommended certified hire to cover curriculum and federal programs for the 2025–26 year, a classified resignation acceptance, an internal classified transfer to the purchasing specialist role, creation and placement of a new elementary assistant principal job, and a list of proposed reductions tied to vacancies and grant-funded positions.
Public comment from teachers, union leaders and parents emphasized concern over shifting information and asked the board to delay decisions until more data was provided. “The ongoing flux of information has created uncertainty and widespread concerns across the district,” Martha Alonso, president of the Douglas Educators Association, told the board, asking for a postponement. Several speakers suggested alternative savings and community engagement (for example, converting preschool seats to full-day childcare as a revenue source) and urged greater transparency.
Board action and outcomes (high level): - Certified hire (Curriculum/federal programs): approved on voice/roll call. The board approved hiring Corey Moen (start July 2025) to support curriculum and federal programs and requested cross-training into May–June before the position formally begins. - Classified resignation (Robert Rodriguez, Transportation Supervisor): accepted with regret. - Classified transfer (Priscilla Garcia Gracia): approved to move from food-service secretary to purchasing specialist in business services. - New elementary assistant principal position and job description: approved; salary placement at grade F, base $70,050. - Certified contract renewals for 2025–26: board approved renewals for the certified staff list provided; four names were not available at the meeting and will be presented later. - Reduction in positions (due to declining enrollment and budget constraints): board approved reductions, which the superintendent said primarily affect vacancies and certain grant-funded positions; two IT help-desk technician positions and five grant-funded instructional assistant (IA) positions (Safe and Healthy/Well-Rounded grants) were listed as impacted. The superintendent said most other proposed cuts are vacancies arising from retirements/resignations and principal recommendations about collapsed classes. - Reduction in additional work days for some grant-funded coaches and specialists: the board voted to oppose (i.e., reject) the proposed reduction in additional days for grant-funded positions; the motion to oppose passed on roll call.
The board discussed the practical effects of the personnel actions. Samaniego said only two employees would be displaced outright (the two IT help-desk technicians) and that other lines were vacancies. She and CFO Miguel Sotto said the district is implementing a hiring freeze through the end of the fiscal year except for essential positions; each resignation or vacancy will be evaluated before any new hiring.
Votes at a glance (roll-call summaries extracted from transcript): - Approve certified hire (curriculum/federal programs): unanimous yes (roll call recorded with all board members voting yes). - Accept classified resignation (Robert Rodriguez): unanimous yes. - Approve classified transfer (Priscilla Garcia Gracia): unanimous yes. - Approve new elementary assistant principal position and job description: unanimous yes. - Approve certified contract renewals (list provided): unanimous yes (four names deferred to April 2 addendum). - Approve reduction in positions (vacancy-based and grant-funded): unanimous yes. - Oppose (reject) proposed reduction in additional work days for some grant-funded staff: motion to oppose passed on roll call (unanimous yes), preserving the additional days for coaches and the secondary curriculum coordinator for now.
What was emphasized: The administration repeatedly described enrollment decline as the major driver of the budget challenge and said more in-depth budget work (including a future RFP for benefits and analysis of transportation and operational costs) will follow. Several board members and public speakers urged expanded community engagement, data transparency and consideration of alternatives to staff reductions.
Next steps: Administration will implement the approved hires, transfers and renewals; proceed with the staffing revisions tied to vacancies; and report back to the board on enrollment trends, the status of vacancies and any future budget revisions. The board and staff said they will pursue additional community outreach and data-sharing on enrollment and operational expenses.
