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Union urges more full‑time custodians and security as community calls for cultural recognition
Summary
Union president Kathy Watson urged the board to hire more full‑time custodians and security so staff receive benefits; a public speaker asked the board to recognize Three Kings Day, which the board approved to mark Jan. 6 each year. Superintendent Marilyn Martinez said fighting incidents have decreased and gave security officer allocations.
At the March 3 meeting, the president of the district union urged the board to convert part‑time custodial and security positions to full‑time roles so employees can access health care and other benefits.
Kathy Watson (introduced during public comment) told the board "we need to hire a lot more security guards, especially security guards, full time and full time custodians," arguing that full‑time roles would improve performance, reliability and access to benefits.
Watson also asked whether a board member who had recently been sworn into city council could hold both positions; that question was noted but not settled on the public record.
Superintendent Marilyn Martinez responded with context on student behavior and staffing, saying misconduct and fighting have decreased under renewed emphasis on restorative practices. Martinez said the high school has an allocation of 11 security officers and the middle school an allocation of 9, and emphasized the administration’s focus on keeping students engaged rather than increasing exclusionary discipline.
Separately during public comment, Jonathan Diego asked the board to consider officially recognizing Three Kings Day with a school day off to reflect the district’s majority Latino student population. A board member moved to acknowledge the holiday and the board voted to record Three Kings Day — Jan. 6 — on the district calendar.
Board members thanked attendees, acknowledged Ramadan accommodations and encouraged continued community engagement.
