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Unions accuse Vallejo district of improper contracts, question layoffs and transparency
Summary
CSEA and labor speakers told the board the district contracted tens of thousands and up to $625,000 with a faith‑based group and then replaced classified staff with contractors; union leaders demanded investigation, recovery of funds and reinstatement of classified positions.
Union representatives and community advocates used the April 1 board meeting to raise sharp concerns about contracting, transparency and layoffs. Labor speakers said a contractor identified as Jesus Followers University received at least $625,000 from the district, alleged the contractor’s founder publicly advocated converting students to Christianity, and said the union disclosed the issue through a public records request.
‘‘This district paid out at least $625,000 to Jesus Followers University, a contractor whose own founder publicly stated that his goal was to turn students into ‘champions for Christ,’’’ Jeremy Arnold, a CSEA labor relations representative, told the board. CSEA said the district later terminated the contracts after the union publicized the contractor’s online statements.
CSEA and several commenters linked contracting decisions to current layoff proposals, arguing work taken from classified staff was later contracted out. ‘‘Layoffs, contracting out work, loss of accountability — we have already seen where that leads,’’ a union speaker said.
Board members and staff acknowledged the concerns and described steps taken: staff said contracts were reviewed and contracts in question were terminated; the board discussed investigating how the contracting occurred and recovering funds “wherever possible.” The district also flagged potential Brown Act procedural issues related to earlier closure votes, which prompted a procedural rescind and re‑vote of closure resolutions.
Labor leaders asked the board why consultant and communications budgets remain large while classified staff face layoffs; CSEA presenters cited a communications budget line of about $12.8 million (they said much of it is unspent) and questioned priorities. Trustees and staff said they are reducing consultant reliance in some areas and pointed to fiscal stabilization work.
What the district said: Administration acknowledged the personnel and procurement concerns and said staff acted to terminate problematic contracts once identified. Staff described ongoing negotiations with unions and said some contract amendments or consultant agreements had been reduced from prior years. The board directed staff to provide further information about contracting and to collaborate with bargaining units.
Next steps: Union leaders requested a formal investigation and recovery of any public funds improperly spent. Trustees directed staff to follow up and said they would return with more documentation and next steps at future meetings.
