Classified staff and teachers press board on rising premiums, substitute shortages and cuts to independent‑study
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Summary
Multiple union leaders, teachers and parents urged the board to address rising health‑care premiums, involuntary cross‑training and the planned removal of primary‑grade independent‑study options, telling trustees those changes threaten student services and staff retention.
Union leaders, classroom teachers and parents used the board meeting to press the district on rising employee health‑care premiums, involuntary cross‑training for classified staff, substitute pay and proposed program cuts.
Ruby Williams of the Chula Vista Classified Employees Organization said classified staff are being assigned duties outside their job descriptions to fill gaps created by chronic understaffing and low substitute pay. "When staff are stretched across responsibilities, the quality of student support drops, burnout rises, and district risk violating labor agreements," she said, and asked the board to raise substitute pay and limit reassignments.
Jackie Venegas, vice president of Chula Vista Educators, asked the district to bargain in earnest the following day and to present proposals that show teachers matter. "We are asking that you come to the bargaining table tomorrow ready to show your employees that they matter," Venegas said.
Parents and staff warned about a proposed discontinuance of primary‑grade independent study (ISP) for next year. Evelyn Torres described her autistic son's progress in the ISP and asked the board to reconsider eliminating the option because it provides critical individualized support. Wesley Garcia, an ISP facilitator, and Leo Wan, an ISP parent, offered examples of students who rely on the program for academic success and social connection.
Speakers also raised transportation and workplace issues in the district's transportation department and asked for investigation of leadership culture and HR complaints. A parent, Noemi Cuba, called for a full investigation after her son was found unconscious at school and said camera footage and staff responses were insufficient.
Trustees acknowledged the testimonies and said many of the matters are subject to bargaining or internal investigation; both trustees and staff urged union and district negotiators to continue talks. The board did not take immediate action on the requests but recorded the concerns for staff follow‑up and bargaining.
