Riverside Unified authorizes preliminary notices for a small number of certificated and classified positions

Riverside Unified School District trustees on Feb. 6 approved a set of preliminary staffing resolutions that could lead to a limited number of certificated and classified reductions next school year.

Michelle Cortez, director of certificated personnel, told the board that staff was asking for permission to issue March 15 preliminary notices for up to six full‑time‑equivalent certificated positions: two FTE in Spanish/world language, two FTE in science and two FTE in social studies. "We're asking for full time 2 full time equivalents for world language in Spanish, 2 full time equivalents for science, and 2 full time equivalents for social studies," Cortez said during the presentation. She added the number is fluid: recent retirements, resignations and course‑offering changes already removed at least two positions from the list.

The board also adopted two companion resolutions to decide how certificated ties will be broken and which employees may be retained because of specialized skills. The tie‑breaking resolution assigns points for credentials, bilingual certificates (BCLAD/CLAD), supplemental authorizations and advanced degrees, and establishes a small, supervised lottery only when necessary. Cortez said the system is designed to reflect district instructional priorities.

Separately, Robin Messa, director of classified personnel, presented a preliminary list of classified positions or hours that may be reduced because of a lack of work or lack of funds. Messa said the process is designed to protect employees' rights: administrators will notify affected staff, managers will help them seek other postings, and bumping and re‑hire rights will apply. "This is a preliminary notice," Messa said, emphasizing final decisions will be made by May 15 if needed.

Public commenters pressed for clarity and raised concerns about impacts on special‑education aides. Parent and longtime district critic Sandy Roy said she was alarmed how many special‑education aide hours were affected; Roy called for reviewing legal expenditures and prioritizing students' needs. Ray Bleckert urged the board to examine whether reductions were being driven by increased special‑education litigation and said the community must protect vulnerable students.

District staff responded that the majority of certificated reductions were a product of lower workload—students aging out, graduations or course changes—rather than across‑the‑board funding cuts, and that in past years the district found placements for impacted certificated employees when possible. Trustees stressed the current actions merely authorize staff to proceed with required notifications under Education Code timelines; the board approved all related resolutions unanimously.

What's next: staff will issue March 15 preliminary notices to any employees who remain on the formal list, continue recruitment for open positions on oversight committees, and return with final May 15 notifications if reductions are required.