ABC Unified board authorizes notice of classified reductions after public outcry over proposed cuts to librarians and mental‑health staff

The ABC Unified School District Board of Education voted on March 10 to adopt Resolution 25‑24 to begin the process of reducing or discontinuing specified classified services for lack of work or funds, after a lengthy public comment period in which parents, teachers and district staff urged the board to preserve librarians and mental‑health professionals.

Public commenters described the practical impacts of the proposed staffing reductions. "When library hours shrink, student visits drop," said Michelle Valdivia, a library media technician at Melbourne Elementary, arguing that libraries are often the primary source of books for students. Laura Aravisu, who identified herself as a teacher and parent, said mental‑health professionals at school are "not a luxury. They are a necessity," and described a personal example of a child who has benefited from school‑based counseling.

The board considered staff recommendations to reduce classified positions to balance a projected structural deficit. District staff said rising costs, declining enrollment and increasing special‑education costs contributed to the deficit. During debate board members sought to limit impacts to direct student services. Board member Nishi proposed and the board approved an amendment to reduce the planned cuts to library staff to three library media technicians and two library media clerks and to substitute one district‑level position in place of two additional library reductions; that amendment passed in a roll‑call vote. The final approval of Resolution 25‑24 (as amended) was recorded by roll call: six board members voted yes and one voted no.

Board members repeatedly cited the goal of minimizing harm to students. "Our hope here is that we can find retirements and other savings so we avoid layoffs," President Nyola said during the discussion. Several board members and staff noted that the board must provide formal notice now to preserve options under state law and that the actual staffing reductions — if any — could be handled through attrition or other budgetary changes before layoffs occur.

What happens next: The action authorized by Resolution 25‑24 initiates the statutory notice process for potential reductions; specifics about which positions (if any) will be eliminated or filled through attrition will be determined in the weeks ahead as staff and the board continue budget work. The board also directed staff to explore alternatives and report back as they refine the district budget.

Actions and vote: The board adopted Resolution 25‑24 ("Reduction or discontinuance of classified services for lack of work or lack of funds") with the amendment described above; the amended motion passed on a 6–1 roll call vote (Mrs. Mendoza voted no).