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Classified staff union urges board to protect positions as layoffs loom
Summary
Classified staff representative told the board that classified employees are "stressed and deeply impacted" by rumors of layoffs, highlighted a new structured onboarding program for paraprofessionals and urged trustees to consider the impact of cuts on student-facing positions.
A classified staff representative addressed the board on Nov. 13 to describe recent onboarding and professional learning work and to urge caution as the district proceeds with rightsizing.
The speaker (identified in the transcript as Miss Alpin) told trustees that trainers have launched a structured onboarding program for newly hired special education paraprofessionals and that Joel Stephanie and others are offering evening professional learning sessions. "Since the start of this school year, they have onboarded over 2 dozen new paras completing new employee orientation," the speaker said.
The representative said classified staff are essential to daily school operations and expressed acute anxiety about possible layoffs. "They know layoffs are coming and rumors are flying, and they are being asked to work towards a systematic goals for the future without knowing where they are," the speaker said, urging the board to keep cuts as far away as possible from people who serve students directly.
UTSC (the district's union committee) also presented a separate update on music programs, listing recent events (a mariachi night and an honor band and orchestra concert), educator recognitions and five-year donations totaling more than $230,000 to district programs and teacher supports.
Trustees heard the reports but did not take formal action during this agenda item; the superintendent and board said they would continue to factor workforce impacts into rightsizing and budget discussions.
