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Board ratifies CSEA tentative agreement as final layoff resolutions pass
Summary
Trustees ratified a tentative agreement with CSEA (1.75% on-schedule and off-schedule raises) after staff confirmed AB1200 funding; the board also approved final classified and certificated layoff resolutions, drawing public criticism about transparency over how affected positions were described.
The Newark Unified School District board approved a tentative agreement with the classified union (CSEA Chapter 208) and ratified the collective-bargaining agreement for 2024''2025, while also taking final action on layoff resolutions for classified and certificated staff.
Superintendent Tracy Vicar told the board that the county's AB1200 review confirmed the district has funds available to support the proposed classified employee increase over the next three years. "AB1200 confirmed that we do have the funds available for the next three years to be able to offer the raise that we did to our classified employees," Vicar said during the discussion.
The ratification covered a 1.75% on-schedule and 1.75% off-schedule increase for CSEA; the motion to ratify passed with a recorded vote of six yeses.
Separately, the board adopted two final layoff resolutions to reduce the number of classified and certificated employees for the 2025-26 school year because of lack of funds or a reduction in particular kinds of services; both motions passed (six yes votes recorded). Several public commenters and at least one trustee urged the board to list affected positions rather than employee numbers to improve transparency about which programs and school sites would be most affected.
Public commenter Tracy Blinko, who testified at length, said her administrative hearing findings had allowed district layoffs but alleged that the district later used short-term contractors instead of reassigning duties to permanent staff. "Many community members as well as board members have questioned the ongoing and expensive contractor contracts that this administration continues to engage in," Blinko said, urging greater compliance with Education Code and public accountability.
Board members said they would pursue follow-up questions with legal counsel about the format of layoff resolutions and whether additional disclosure about positions could be incorporated in future notices without violating statutory requirements. No rescinded layoffs or reversals were announced at the meeting.
