Community, Pastor and CSEA urge Modesto board to avoid layoffs as budget questions persist

During public presentations on Feb. 11, Pastor Latricia Beasley Day urged the board to seek alternatives to layoffs and to approach negotiations in ways that protect employees and families. She said the livelihoods of classified and management staff are at stake and called on the district, labor partners and the community to ‘‘work together in good faith’’ to avoid unnecessary job losses.

Monique Fernandez, an executive board member of the California School Employees Association (CSEA) Modesto chapter, provided a union update and said her chapter has been meeting with HR about proposed layoffs. Fernandez emphasized the essential role of classified positions — custodial, bus operators, paraprofessionals and others — and requested CSEA participation in the superintendent selection process as labor partners.

District staff framed the labor concerns within a broader fiscal context. Tim Zirley noted that some staffing was created with one‑time federal ESSER funds that have now expired and must be addressed, either by identifying ongoing funding or through reductions; he said the district’s existing reduction plan includes an additional year of staffing changes to be implemented in the 2026‑27 school year as necessary. Board members acknowledged the comments but did not take action on the non‑agenda item; staff said they would continue negotiations and planning.

Why it matters: layoffs of classified staff would directly affect student supports and daily operations; the union and public comments show community concern about negotiating approaches and transparency. Board members reiterated the need for collaboration and asked staff to continue exploring options to minimize harm to employees.