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Board adopts layoff-resolution identifying 15.7 FTE while members push to preserve Crossroads program
Summary
After hours of public comment and board discussion over program impacts, the Newark Unified Board adopted a 'particular kinds of services' resolution identifying 15.7 FTE categories for potential reduction; the vote triggers March 15 notice deadlines and further hearings before any individual layoffs are finalized.
The Newark Unified Board of Education voted Feb. 17 to adopt Resolution 25-26.22, a 'particular kinds of services' (PKS) layoff resolution that identifies credential categories and a 15.7 full-time-equivalent reduction the district may pursue for the 2026–27 school year.
The resolution begins a statutory process: staff must notify impacted certificated positions by March 15 that services may not be needed next year, and laid-off employees have rights to a hearing and reemployment preferences under the Education Code. Superintendent Vakar and staff said the PKS item is a step to align staffing with falling enrollment and multi-year budget projections.
Supporters of a cautious approach urged more analysis before program eliminations. Sherry Garcia, an alternative-education counselor, told the board Crossroads is a WASC-accredited independent study school serving students with high social or health needs and warned closing it could push students out of the district. "For a lot of these students, even stepping foot on Bridgepoint's small campus presents challenges," Garcia said, urging the board to preserve the program and its office manager.
Rachel Bloom, president of the Newark Teachers Association, criticized the timing and communications around the rightsizing plan and urged board members to demand detailed data and to protect certificated staff. "Be curious. Demand numbers," Bloom said, warning that cuts without clear plans would harm students and educators.
Board members debated specific line items. Several members asked staff to remove the Crossroads education-program teacher from the reduction list and asked for additional analysis on whether other district programs (notably Bridgepoint) could absorb students without harming services. Member Block said he was "not yet at a point" to support removing Crossroads without further planning; other members argued the district could propose alternative models, reduce hours, or reallocate contractors before eliminating positions.
Staff described the methodology behind the PKS calculation: enrollment and average-daily-attendance declines since 2021 (from roughly 5,500 to about 4,400 students), program-by-program allocation rules, and site master-schedule reviews that led to proposed reductions in areas such as elementary PE and certain secondary language offerings. Staff also said some reductions will come from previously identified vacant 'position-control' items that could total about $1.5 million toward a larger reduction package.
The board corrected an internal tally (the documentation originally listed inconsistent FTE totals) and adopted the resolution with the corrected 15.7 FTE figure. Members noted this action triggers notification obligations but does not by itself lay off named individuals; personnel hearings and final votes would follow in later meetings if reductions proceed.
What happens next: impacted employees must be notified by March 15; the board will consider hearings and final layoff actions in April or May, and staff said positions could be restored if funding or attrition changes. The board asked staff to return with additional program-level analyses and vacancy lists to increase transparency before final actions.
