Unions press board on $26M in cuts; trustees approve $2,000 early‑retirement notification stipend

Union leaders and site representatives used public comment time Nov. 20 to press the East Side Union High School District board for transparency and to prioritize classroom positions as the district confronts roughly $26 million in proposed reductions.

Jack Hamner, representing ESTA (the teachers’ association), asked the board to consider the effect of cuts on students and to reduce management‑level positions beyond the proposed $2 million in administrative reductions. “We understand the district is in a serious budget situation… But we are here to encourage the management and the trustees to continue to promote transparency within the reduction process,” he said.

Speakers from CSEA and site presidents urged decisionmakers to prioritize long‑standing school staff over outside contractors or temporary positions. Several site leaders said the district should invest in classroom personnel and warned that cuts to certificated and classified positions would harm student services.

As part of business items, the board discussed an offer to provide a one‑time monetary stipend to staff who irrevocably notify the district of retirement by Jan. 23 to reduce the number of layoff notices required. The amount discussed on the record was $2,000. Trustees moved and seconded the item; the motion to approve the early‑notification stipend passed 4–0 with one absence.

Trustees also acknowledged that the district will continue to review reductions and urged continued dialogue with unions and site leaders as planning continues.