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Public commenters slam staffing cuts to African American Student Services; board hears calls to protect desegregation funds
Summary
Multiple public speakers told the Tucson Unified School District governing board that desegregation funds are being diverted and that the African American Student Services department is severely understaffed—now down to five service providers for 88 schools—urging immediate hiring and clearer tracking of those dollars.
Public commenters pressed the Tucson Unified School District governing board on March 31, saying the district is failing Black students and asking the board to restore staffing and spending tied to desegregation obligations.
Several speakers cited the same staffing figure: that the African American Student Services department was authorized for 18 full‑time positions but was “down to five people” providing services across 88 schools. "That is not a budget constraint. That is a choice," said Reverend Lisa Gramlich, invoking a moral framing and urging the board to "fund what you promised now." Sylvia Conpoint said reorganizations have made desegregation spending "impossible to track," and public commenter Bets Putnam Hidalgo said funding should be dedicated to desegregation efforts rather than being used to cover general administrative costs.
Why it matters: speakers and commenters tied staffing shortages and opaque budgeting to low academic results and high chronic truancy. Lillian Fox told the board that chronic truancy in the district is "44 percent" and linked absenteeism to poor proficiency rates, saying the district needs explicit strategies to improve attendance before it can budget responsibly.
What the board said: Governing board members responded by acknowledging the concerns and promising inquiries. Board member "Miss Shaw" (as recorded in the transcript) said vacancies had not been removed from the budget but asked staff to report back on why positions left the department and how the board can ensure they are filled. Superintendent Trujillo said the board had recently voted to bring new leadership into the department and asked staff to investigate the mass vacancies.
Next steps: Several board members asked staff to put the issue on a future agenda for follow-up, and to provide a written accounting of desegregation‑designated funds. The call to the audience concluded with the board directing staff to report on vacancies and implementation plans.
