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Board issues preliminary layoff notices after heated public comments over language, electives and PLIs
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Summary
Facing projected enrollment decline and budget pressure, the board adopted preliminary notices for certificated and classified position reductions; teachers, union leaders and students urged rescinding notices and warned cuts will disproportionately affect world languages and career/arts programs.
The San Ramon Valley Unified School District board voted to issue preliminary layoff notices after staff presented resolutions tied to declining enrollment and budget adjustments.
Human Resources shared Resolution 61 authorizing preliminary notices for certificated reductions for the 2026‑27 school year; after extensive public comment from teachers, students and union leaders, the board approved the resolution on a 4–1 vote (Trustee Laura Bratt opposed). "We are asking the board to honor its commitments, recognize the source of these savings, and take concrete steps towards making our students and our educators whole again," said Laura Finco, president of Servia, the certificated bargaining unit, urging restoration of furlough days and protection for student services.
Teachers and parents repeatedly urged the board to delay cuts and explore alternatives. Monte Vista Japanese teacher Noriko Nishimoto told trustees that her program was notified of a 40% reduction based on incomplete enrollment counts and asked that decisions wait until final enrollment data are available. "If those are the true reasons for reductions before making a final decision, I respectfully request that you wait until middle school and high school enrollment is finalized," she said.
Staff explained that Education Code requires preliminary notices by March 15; the notices identify positions, not named employees, and the formal personnel actions will be finalized in May after master‑schedule development and further review of student course requests. Superintendent Cammock explained the tension: "That notice doesn't feel like just a preliminary notice. It feels like something much more substantial and much more life changing," but said the district is constrained by statutory timelines.
The board also adopted Resolution 60 to issue notices for classified reductions (approximately 35.64 FTE) due to reduced site funding and program eliminations. CSEA president Tammy Casaluccio noted the difficulty of negotiating reductions and said the union had worked in good faith with management.
Trustees and staff committed to continuing conversations with labor partners, reviewing student course requests and re‑examining possible rescinds as enrollment and staffing data firm up. Board members urged families to complete course requests promptly, noting that master schedules and staffing rely on student sign‑ups.
The votes mean preliminary notices will be sent; staff said some notices may be rescinded in May if enrollment and hiring changes warrant it, but cautioned that significant reductions are expected given the district’s projected loss of roughly 700 students and associated revenue impact.
