Apple Valley trustees approve resolutions to begin reductions affecting 241 classified positions

The Apple Valley Unified School District board on Tuesday adopted resolutions to begin the process of reducing classified and certificated services, authorizing steps that the district says are needed to address a fiscal shortfall while drawing extensive public opposition.

Parents, paraprofessionals and union leaders packed the meeting and delivered more than an hour of public comment before trustees voted. “The decision to cut 241 classified staff members, including 167 of my fellow PAR educators, is a devastating mistake,” said Ashley Smith, a PAR educator who told the board paraprofessionals handle de‑escalation, IEP testing and one‑on‑one support.

The California School Employees Association’s local representative, Graying Isan, argued the scale of the proposed layoffs “is not supported by the district’s own financial documents,” contending the deficit stemmed from using one‑time funds for ongoing salaries and from delayed corrective action. JC Scott, chapter president for CSEA Chapter 828, told trustees the cuts represent “a shifting of responsibility” onto the district’s lowest‑paid employees and urged them to vote no.

Trustees acknowledged the difficulty of the choice but said the actions before them were statutory steps to address the district’s finances. Following deliberation, the board adopted Resolution 2526‑07 to initiate reduction or discontinuance of classified service and Resolution 2526‑08 to initiate reduction or discontinuance of certificated service. On the classified‑service resolution the roll call was Longshore No; Raleigh Yes; Tucker No; Akara Yes; Buchanan Yes (adopted 3–2). The certificated‑service resolution passed on a 4–1 roll call (Longshore No; Raleigh, Tucker, Akara and Buchanan Yes).

Several speakers warned the cuts would harm students and school operations. Hector Guzman, a campus security assistant, said reduced campus security staffing would make emergency response and everyday supervision more difficult; Amy Carter, who works with moderate–severe preschoolers, said special‑education classrooms cannot function safely without adequate paraeducator support. “PAR educators are not optional support staff. We are essential,” Carter said.

Trustee Renee Longshore, speaking in board comments, apologized for a previous vote that raised management pay and urged the board to scrutinize administrative spending and outsourced services before eliminating site staff. Superintendent Tene Nelson said she would share student advisory feedback and highlighted a WASC accreditation result for an alternative site but did not reverse the board’s action.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 2526‑07 (classified reduction/discontinuance): adopted 3–2 (Longshore No; Raleigh Yes; Tucker No; Akara Yes; Buchanan Yes). - Resolution 2526‑08 (certificated reduction/discontinuance): adopted 4–1 (Longshore No; Raleigh, Tucker, Akara, Buchanan Yes).

Union leaders signaled continued opposition. Karen Sabers, president of ABUDA (the certificated employees’ association), said the association had authorized a strike with 91% support in its authorization vote and delivered a formal no‑confidence resolution for the board’s consideration. JC Scott (CSEA) warned of legal, safety and service ramifications if the cuts proceed and urged trustees to seek other savings.

The board also reported in closed session that it unanimously denied several claims recommended by the superintendent, including claims dated in January 2026. The board approved other routine personnel and bargaining‑reopener actions at the meeting.

The district did not adopt a final layoff list at the meeting; adoption of reductions begins a process required under California law that can include notices to employees, hearings and potential successors’ rights. Trustees debated, and a motion to hold a special meeting for further clarification failed. The board adjourned at 11:09 p.m.

Next steps include formal notices tied to the adopted resolutions and any follow‑up hearings; union representatives said they would continue to press for alternative savings and for greater transparency from district leadership.