The Pacific Grove Unified School District Board of Education on Nov. 20 approved two side‑letter agreements with the California School Employees Association (CSEA), both by unanimous votes. One agreement temporarily reduces a single career‑technical adult‑school assignment by 30 minutes (from eight to 7.5 hours) for the current incumbent and is recorded as a side letter so the position will revert to a full eight‑hour assignment if the incumbent leaves. District staff estimated a fiscal‑year savings of $5,655 from that temporary reduction.

Board members raised concerns about precedent for single‑employee schedule adjustments. Trustee Otmar said the arrangement “seems odd” for one person and asked what would prevent other employees from requesting similar changes. District staff responded that adjustments at the adult school are not new, that the side letter memorializes the temporary change in coordination with CSEA, and that the position would revert to eight hours if circumstances change or the employee departs.

The board then approved a second side letter with CSEA affecting a Thanksgiving minimum day. That agreement will allow classified staff covered by CSEA to be released 30 minutes after student dismissal on the Thanksgiving minimum day, matching an existing PGTA (certificated) provision. Staff said the Thanksgiving language is limited to that single minimum day while negotiations continue on other minimum‑day schedules for winter break, spring break and the last day of school.

There was no public comment on either item. The motion to approve the first side letter was made by Trustee Otmar and seconded by Clerk Doug McNary; the motion to approve the Thanksgiving agreement was made by Board President Dr. Hazen and seconded by Trustee Schmoss. Both motions passed 5–0.

What’s next: District staff said trustees should expect additional side‑letter items as scheduling needs arise, particularly at the adult‑education site where schedules are more flexible than K‑12 sites.