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Board tables proposed Special Education program‑specialist after employee and union concerns about layoffs and funding
Summary
Trustees voted to table a proposed certificated Program Specialist position in Special Education after staff and union speakers questioned why a four‑hour classified employee had been laid off while higher‑paid administrative roles were created; union and public commenters asked for a budget study session before proceeding.
The Marysville Joint Unified School District board on June 24 tabled consideration of a new certificated Program Specialist position in the Special Education department after sustained public comment raising concerns about recent layoffs and budget transparency.
Operating Engineers Local 3 and individual employees told trustees they were confused and alarmed that a four‑hour O‑3 classified employee in Special Education had been laid off earlier this year while the district subsequently filled or posted higher management positions in the same department. Rita Nielson and Rudy Nelson urged the board to pause item 18.4 and to hold a deep budget review that includes bargaining‑unit impacts.
District staff and administration said the Program Specialist is a preparatory, certificated management position intended to support growth in special education services and to serve as an administrative designee for individualized education program (IEP) meetings if the district takes on additional moderate‑severe students from a county program transfer. A presenter said funding would be determined at time of hire and, if filled, would likely come from the general fund. An administrator said the district anticipates—in staff discussion—that the program transfer could bring substantially more students with extensive needs, but the timeline and final student count must still be negotiated with the county; the presenter stated "I think it's around 200" students but qualified that as an estimate.
Rita Nielson cited the proposed salary range for the new certificated specialist (transcript recorded a posted range starting around $86,000 and topping out near $149,000) and contrasted that with the earlier four‑hour O‑3 layoff. Trustees asked staff to provide clearer thresholds and to return with additional budget detail. After discussion, Trustee Seth Steinmann moved and the board voted to table item 18.4 pending further information and a requested budget study session.
What happens next: Trustees requested a deeper review of the multi‑year budget projections and the district agreed to coordinate a study session. The item will return to a future agenda once staff provides the requested funding source clarification and enrollment/projection thresholds.
