Classified employees urge Newman-Crows Landing board to halt proposed layoffs, warn of safety and student-support impacts

Public commenters and union leaders pressed the Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District board on March 9 to reconsider proposed classified layoffs, tying staffing cuts to risks for student safety and services.

Jeremy, an OHS campus supervisor, described multiple campus emergencies he said he has responded to and urged the board not to eliminate a campus supervisor position, saying reduced safety staff "will not help" and recounting incidents where students were armed and others were hospitalized after a violent confrontation.

Claudia Diaz, president of the California School Employees Association local representing more than 200 classified staff, told trustees the district should pursue alternatives and called for patience and transparency as administrators work toward solutions before the May 15 layoff-notice deadline. "We're all in it together," Diaz said, asking the board to "save jobs amidst the mess you say you've inherited."

Melanie Gomes, a 19-year classified employee, said layoffs would force remaining staff to absorb large caseload increases and reduce supports for students with individualized education programs. "With my counterpart's layoff, my caseload will increase to over 60 students," she said, arguing that short-term savings would have long-term costs for student services.

A longtime school secretary identified as Miss Fulber detailed the account technician's workload—more than 70 accounts, deposit and reconciliation responsibilities, quarterly reporting and audit preparation—and said the position must remain full time. She urged the board to consider districtwide alternatives such as shared furlough days rather than targeted layoffs.

Several commenters also objected to the district posting new openings while potential layoff notices were being issued. A classified speaker said, "We're telling classified they're being laid off, and yet positions are coming up," and asked the district to freeze external postings while reductions are resolved.

Why it matters: Trustees face a statutory May 15 deadline for certain layoff notices. Commenters and staff said the proposed reductions would disproportionately affect classified employees who provide safety, clerical and student-support functions. Board members and staff repeatedly emphasized the district is responding to a structural budget gap and is trying to limit job losses.

What the board said: Board members acknowledged the difficulty of the choices. The superintendent told staff they would "look into that" and explore whether in-house employees could be placed in new vacancies, but cautioned there are legal and procedural constraints for hiring and position changes.

Next steps: The district is continuing budget development and said it will provide follow-up information before May 15. The public comment record will be part of the district's deliberations on staffing and layoff notifications.