Vallejo trustees certify budget as 'qualified' amid protests over planned classified layoffs

Vallejo City Unified School District trustees on Tuesday adopted the 2025–26 second interim report and certified the district’s fiscal condition as "qualified," signaling the possibility the district may not meet its financial obligations in this or a subsequent year.

The 5–0 vote followed a presentation from Assistant Superintendent Ruben Fernandez showing a projected unrestricted operating deficit of roughly $11.5 million for 2025–26 and multi‑year deficits that persist into 2027–28. Fernandez said the district’s long‑term shortfall is driven by declining average daily attendance, rising salary and benefit costs, and contributions to restricted programs such as special education. Staff recommended a qualified certification to preserve local control while the district implements a fiscal solvency plan that includes nonessential hiring freezes, school closures already enacted, and planned staffing reductions.

Why it matters: A qualified certification formally warns the county the district may not balance its budget over the required two‑year outlook and focuses attention on steps the district must take to avoid further county or state intervention. Fernandez told the board the goal is to avoid receivership by implementing reductions and showing progress on the multiyear plan.

The board heard sustained public opposition during the community forum. Dozens of classified employees, union representatives and parents told trustees the proposed cuts would undermine campus safety and student supports. "When you cut us, you're cutting people who clean the schools, who supervise hallways, who support students with special needs," said Crystal Points, a 26‑year district employee and counselor. Alejandra Rafael, a district employee of 10 years, told the board she had received no timely communication about cuts affecting her role and said, "Vote to stop these layoffs. Talk to CSEA. We're willing to work with you."

Community speakers also raised specific budget questions: several commenters noted projected increases in discretionary categories — including communications and consultant spending — and asked why those increases were not rolled back before reducing classified positions. The district acknowledged projected rises in some contracted services and said finance staff plan to identify further non‑salary reductions and leverage restricted funding streams where allowable.

Board action and related votes: In addition to certifying the second interim report as qualified, trustees approved multiple related items on the consent and action calendars, including a memorandum of understanding with the California School Employees Association clarifying layoff language and a motion to request a constitutional cash advance from the county to help with cash flow (the advance represented up to 85 percent of anticipated property tax receipts). All recorded roll‑call votes on those items were 5–0.

Numbers and next steps: Staff projected the district would implement roughly 122 FTE reductions and one‑time non‑salary cuts in order to narrow the multiyear deficit; the district also estimated an ending unrestricted fund balance of about $11.5 million for 2025–26 after the planned reductions and use of reserves. Fernandez said the board will revisit the budget in June, when the district presents the 2026–27 budget aligned to approved reductions and when the county office will review the district’s certification.

The board did not vote to rescind any layoffs at the meeting. Trustees and staff emphasized continued negotiations with labor partners and the need to show progress on implementation to maintain local control.

What’s next: The district will return to the board with updated budget documents in June and continue outreach to the county office of education. Community members who addressed the board said they will continue to press for a review of discretionary spending and bargain over alternatives to layoffs.