Petaluma board approves multiple staff reductions, declines amendment to retain district nurse

The Petaluma City Schools Board of Education on Wednesday approved a package of resolutions that will reduce and discontinue multiple certificated and classified positions as part of a budget plan to achieve roughly $2 million in savings for the 2025–26 school year.

Board members voted to adopt the resolutions after extensive public comment from parents, counselors and budget-advisory committee members who urged the board to preserve student-facing staff, especially a district nurse the board discussed keeping if alternative funding could be identified.

Board President Matt Cloud opened the meeting's action items and staff presented the resolutions as reductions and discontinuations of particular kinds of service (PKS) and classified eliminations. Staff told the board they must notify affected certificated employees by March 15 that their positions are subject to possible elimination and have until May 14 to finalize any reassignments or rescissions if alternate funding is found.

Public commenters and members of the budget advisory committee repeatedly urged the board not to cut frontline roles. Shana Friedman, a Casa Grande school counselor, said the absence of student-facing staff is “immediately felt by the entire campus community,” and described a recent case in which a school nurse administered Narcan during an overdose and kept a student alive: “This student is alive today because of 1 person working directly with students.” Diana Cannon, speaking on behalf of a parent, also asked the board to preserve a PCS nurse and a bilingual secretary at McKinley/PAX.

Board discussion focused on whether alternate or restricted funds could cover some positions long-term. Staff said Title I carryover and other restricted grants are being investigated; they warned that Title I carryover would generally be one-year funding and that using carryover does not guarantee ongoing support. Staff also identified May 14 as the deadline to secure alternate funding to avoid finalizing reductions.

A motion to amend the PKS resolution to remove the nurse from the positions listed for discontinuation was made but failed for lack of a second. After further comment and questions, the board approved the PKS and related classified-reduction resolutions as presented; multiple votes and motions recorded in the meeting passed with the board adopting the resolution language on the record.

The board also approved a separate PKS resolution covering three temporary positions (a principal on special assignment, a teacher-on-special-assignment for professional development, and a DLI teacher currently grant-funded) that had limited-term funding and were planned to conclude. The board adopted a separate classified elimination tied to the closure/restructuring of Valley Vista, which removed a title‑1 funded classified post because the title‑1 allocation that funded it will no longer exist for that site.

During and after the votes, board members requested follow-up information: staff said they will return with specific funding options for the nurse position and other high-priority roles, including whether Title I carryover, LCAP allocations, Golden State Pathway or other grants could be tapped. Staff noted some positions (for example, CTE coordinator and grant-funded roles) may be covered by pending grant awards, but results were not finalized at the meeting.

Votes at a glance: - Resolution 2425-36 (reduce/discontinue particular kinds of services by an additional 5.4 FTE for 2025–26): approved (motion made and seconded; board vote passed). The board considered but did not adopt an amendment to remove the nurse from the reductions. - Resolution 2425-37 (classified reductions / RIFs as presented): approved. - Resolution 2425-38 (reducing/discontinuing 1.9 FTE of temporary/special-assignment positions that were time-limited or grant-funded): approved. - Resolution 2425-39 (eliminate a classified position funded by Title I at Valley Vista due to funding changes): approved. - Resolution recognizing Women’s History Month (16.10.1): approved. - Approval of consent agenda including ratification of contracts (including a clinical experience agreement with Western Governors University): approved. - Overnight field trip request for McKinley (educational enrichment): approved.

Board members and staff repeatedly emphasized the board’s stated preference to preserve student-facing roles when possible, and directed staff to return with specific funding scenarios before May 14 so the board can decide whether to rescind any listed reductions. Staff said HR notifications required by law and district policy will proceed on the schedule described in meeting materials.

The meeting record shows substantial public concern about cuts to counseling, nursing and bilingual office support at Title I sites (McKinley/PAX was referenced repeatedly). The board and staff identified the following immediate next steps: (1) staff to present funding options for the nurse and other high-priority positions and identify whether grant carryover or restricted funds can be used; (2) staff to return with LCAP/Title I implications if carryover or reallocation is proposed; (3) HR to continue required notification steps while board deliberations continue.

The board adjourned to closed session after completing the public agenda.