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Classified employees urge Lemon Grove board to reinstate state summer assistance program
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Summary
Dozens of classified employees and union representatives asked the Lemon Grove School District Governing Board to reinstate the state-backed Classified School Employee Summer Assistance Program, saying it provides a dollar-for-dollar match that helps 10-month staff through unpaid summer months.
Dozens of classified employees urged the Lemon Grove School District Governing Board on Jan. 27 to reinstate the Classified School Employee Summer Assistance Program, which commenters said provides a state dollar-for-dollar match that helps 10-month employees cover lost pay during summer break.
"Please don't take away our Summer Assistance Program. We need it," said Tamika Anderson during the public comment period. Marcela Flores, who identified herself as a nutrition site lead at Lemon Grove Academy Elementary, told the board the decision to end the program came as a surprise after 14 years working in the district and said classified staff rely on the benefit.
Several speakers described the program as a state match that lets participants set aside pay during the school year and receive a dollar-for-dollar match, testimony that included a cited cap of up to $100 per month. Tonya Harvell, who outlined the program details, said participation does not bar employees from taking summer work and called the program a critical "dollar for dollar match" that is "free money for the classified employees." Dan Ortiz, speaking for union members, said nearby districts including Cajon Valley, Lakeside, Alpine and others continue the program and urged Lemon Grove to follow suit.
Carol Ann-Vaccaro and other commenters said they were told the district would not participate this year. "Why can't LGSD see that as well," she said, urging the board to reconsider and to place the matter on a future agenda.
When the meeting resumed after closed session the board thanked classified staff for their public comments and said it was "looking further to see what options we have to address the concern" and would provide updates. The board reported no action taken in closed session.
The board did not vote on reinstating the program at the Jan. 27 special meeting; speakers asked the board to add the topic to a future agenda and to vote to continue participation. The district did not provide additional detail about next steps during the meeting.