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Trustees approve cuts but flag home‑hospital teacher reductions for review
Summary
Board-approved reductions include a net cut of two home‑hospital teacher allocations (from five); trustees and chief academic officer said staff will review caseload documentation and reassignment procedures after public comments raised concerns.
Trustees approved a budget reduction plan Jan. 27 that includes a net reduction of two home‑hospital teacher allocations, but several trustees and parents who submitted emails urged further review and clearer communication before implementation.
Staff told the board that the district currently budgets five home‑hospital teacher allocations and proposed deleting three while adding one full‑time position at Piccolo, resulting in a net loss of two positions. Chief Academic Officer Jennifer Vantress said the change reflects lower current caseloads and an operational approach that assigns many home‑hospital services to zoned school staff. "We have a self‑imposed caseload number of about four to five students for each home‑hospital teacher," Vantress said, adding that zone teachers have historically provided many services and that the district maintains a list of zone teachers who have provided home‑hospital instruction.
Several trustees, including Trustee Smith and Trustee Westlake, flagged a disconnect between staff data and public comments from home‑hospital teachers who said caseloads felt higher and raised concerns about travel time and compensation. Trustee Smith asked whether teachers would be asked to drive without mileage compensation or be paid only $30 per hour; Vantress denied that characterization, saying the district pays mileage and preparation time and that the new WEA contract specifically addresses compensation for home‑hospital work.
Trustees asked staff to revisit caseload documentation and the physician documentation that justifies home‑hospital placements. Vantress said the district will review medical documentation, clarify expectations, continue practices that keep students connected to their zoned schools (including remote options used during the pandemic), and monitor numbers so the district can restore allocations if demand increases.
The board did not adopt a separate carve‑out for home‑hospital in its motion. Several trustees said they expected staff to meet individually with affected teachers, communicate transfer-window opportunities and, if needed, return with amendments. The approved reduction plan takes effect after board approval and generally on June 30, 2026, allowing time for placement or voluntary transfers.
Next steps: staff will examine caseload records, physician documentation, and existing zone‑school capacity and will report any findings or recommended adjustments in follow-up communications and February budget work-session materials.
