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Vallejo trustees certify ‘qualified’ budget and approve layoffs, sparking community protests
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Summary
Facing a multi‑year structural deficit, the Vallejo City Unified board certified a "qualified" second‑interim budget, approved labor MOUs and early‑retirement incentives, and cleared a package of personnel and administrative actions — all amid sustained public opposition to proposed classified layoffs.
The Vallejo City Unified School District board voted 5‑0 to certify its 2025–26 second‑interim report as "qualified," acknowledging the district may not meet financial obligations in the current or one of the next two years and moving forward with a set of staff reductions and agreements intended to stabilize finances.
The certification followed a presentation from Assistant Superintendent Ruben Fernandez that outlined a projected unrestricted operating deficit of about $11 million for 2025–26, structural pressures from a roughly 22% decline in enrollment over the past decade, rising salary and benefit costs, and ongoing contributions to special education programs. Fernandez said the district had implemented a hiring freeze, $3 million in non‑salary reductions and planned FTE reductions to narrow the gap, but that the multiyear outlook still shows ongoing deficits without sustained enrollment or revenue improvements.
The board took or approved several related personnel and bargaining actions during the meeting. Vice President Flores moved to approve a negotiated memorandum of understanding with the California School Employees Association (CSEA) clarifying layoff‑related language; Trustee Hodges seconded and the motion passed 5‑0 after public comment. The board also adopted Resolution 51‑24 to non‑reelect certain first‑ and second‑year probationary certificated employees, approved an early‑retirement incentive for certificated staff (a one‑time $1,000 payment for eligible members who submit irrevocable notices by April 3, 2026), and ratified revised management job descriptions tied to a district reorganization.
Community members and district employees filled the public‑comment period with appeals to spare classified staff who provide day‑to‑day services. Grounds supervisor Edwin "Butch" Crane described his role maintaining campus systems and warned that contracting out the work would cost more: "When we those properties we've been trying to sell for how many years, we have to weed abatement 2 to 3 times… You cannot live without our crew," he said. Alejandra Rafael, a 10‑year district employee, told trustees staff had learned of cuts through a January email and said, "We still haven't heard from nobody from the district leadership team… No plan. What's gonna happen to all our kids?" Glenn Lovell, executive director of the Napa‑Solano Central Labor Council, spoke in solidarity with CSEA and urged the board to rescind cuts.
Trustees pressed staff on several lines of inquiry during discussion. Vice President Flores asked whether restricted grant or LCFF supplemental funds could be repurposed to preserve positions; Fernandez and staff said they were evaluating options but cautioned many funding sources are restricted and that some proposed course offerings and program expansions are contingent on limited funds. Trustees also asked for detailed budget breakdowns — particularly in the 5,900 resource code covering communications and technology — and requested a follow‑up report showing how projected increases in consulting and communications spending were calculated.
The meeting included multiple formal votes tied to budget and labor actions; all motions reported on the record passed unanimously (5‑0) with Trustee Arbaab absent. The board and staff committed to further community updates and to continuing negotiations with labor partners about alternative staffing and funding strategies.
Votes at a glance - Adopt agenda: motion passed 5‑0 (SEG 050–072). - Consent items (a–v): adopted 5‑0 (SEG 743–809). - MOU with CSEA clarifying layoff language (Action 10a): adopted 5‑0 (SEG 887–1343). - Resolution 51‑24 (non‑reelection of probationary certificated employees, Action 10b): adopted 5‑0 (SEG 1344–1406). - Early‑retirement MOU for certificated staff (Action 10c): adopted 5‑0; $1,000 one‑time payment for eligible employees who submit irrevocable retirements by 04/03/2026 (SEG 1408–1476). - Management job descriptions (Action 10d): adopted 5‑0 (SEG 1478–1519). - Supplemental VEA retirement program (Action 10e): adopted 5‑0 (SEG 1520–1557). - Second‑interim certification and related actions (Action 10i): adopted 5‑0 (SEG 2812–3266).
What happens next Staff said further implementation steps — including specific staffing reductions, school‑level plans and the June budget adoption — will be brought back to the board. Trustees asked staff to provide a breakdown of communications and consulting expenditures and to continue bargaining with union partners about alternatives before layoffs take effect.
