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Teachers and union speakers urge Paramount Unified to keep AVID Excel as board moves forward on layoffs
Summary
Teachers, parents and union representatives urged the Paramount Unified board to retain the AVID Excel program for English learners and to protect special-education staff, while union speakers said affected classified employees were notified about eliminations before board approval; the board later advanced an item tied to elimination of specified classified positions.
Teachers, parents and union representatives told the Paramount Unified School District board on March 12 that proposed program cuts and job eliminations risk hurting vulnerable students and overworked staff.
Linda, a fifth-year teacher at Lyanna Jackson School who identified herself during the public-comment period, urged the board not to remove AVID Excel, saying the program "specifically serves English language learners" and provides more rigorous supports than traditional ELD classes. "Removing AVID Excel without considering the broader picture and the long-term impact of these student successes is a disservice to the very students we are working to support," she said.
Special-education teacher Relle Martinez described heavy workloads, multiple IEP meetings and multiple class preparations, and questioned whether current stipends for special educators (which she said range from 0.5% to 1.5% of salary) are adequate. "We are keeping our schools and District in compliance with the law to properly support these students," she said, and asked the board to reconsider compensation and workload for special educators.
Marian Guano, speaking for the classified employees' chapter (CSA/CCA), raised procedural concerns about Item 12.2 on that night's agenda (described in closed session as the elimination or layoff of specified classified positions). She said affected members "have already been notified of these changes even though the section item has yet to be approved" and asked that unions be included earlier in such discussions.
The transcript shows the board later proceeded through a lengthy consent and action calendar that included personnel and policy votes. Item text and roll calls recorded during the meeting show motions and votes on multiple resolutions and personnel items; the transcript records Item 12.2 as "resolution 24347 reduction or discontinuance of particular kinds of services" and shows votes thereafter in the action section. Union speakers asked for transparency, stakeholder inclusion and clear plans for supports if programs such as AVID Excel were removed.
Board members and district staff did not announce a final decision on AVID Excel during the public comment period; Linda invited board members to visit her classroom to hear direct evidence of the program's impact. The meeting continued into budget and administrative business after public comments.
Because the transcript logs many action items that night, community members and staff seeking specifics about any program changes or staff reductions should consult the district's posted agenda and itemized staff reports for precise language and any follow-up notices.
