Dozens of Santa Clara Unified teachers, union leaders and parents urged the district’s board of trustees to slow and clarify a 'rightsizing' process aimed at reducing roughly $30 million in spending.

At the start of the meeting’s public-comment period, resource teacher Shana Siegel told trustees, “My biggest concern is a lack of transparency,” and called for teachers to be part of discussions from the outset rather than informed at the end. School psychologist Katie Peterson said staff forums and emails have not quelled anxiety and warned that decisions “should not be rushed nor should decisions be made behind closed doors.”

Union representatives framed the issue as a labor partnership concern. A CSEA speaker called rightsizing the “wrong term to apply to people,” urging the district to present ROI analyses and clear metrics before positions are put on the chopping block. UTSC speakers also pressed for protections for special education and classified staff, saying cuts so far appear to fall disproportionately on classroom and support personnel.

Superintendent Dr. Wright acknowledged the worry and told the board the district started messaging about the process in late summer and will continue working with labor partners. He said the administration expects to share additional communications “early next week,” and pledged to remain deliberate and collaborative even as the district faces difficult choices.

Board members asked administration to deliver more-detailed materials and follow-ups that answer how many positions are on the table, what criteria will be used to evaluate cuts, and how any changes would protect direct student services. Trustees said they wanted staff input on proposed reductions before final decisions.

The board moved into closed session to continue negotiations and review personnel matters and reiterated that further detail would be shared as the process advances.