Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Staffing And Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parents, counselors and unions press Elk Grove Unified to keep counselors, social workers and AVID coaches
Summary
More than 40 public commenters urged the Elk Grove Unified board to make temporary counselor, social worker and AVID positions permanent, warned of special-education staffing shortages and pressed for better pay and benefits for classified staff.
At a packed Elk Grove Unified School District board meeting, more than 40 speakers told trustees they rely on temporary grant-funded counselors, social workers and AVID coaches — and urged the board to convert those roles to permanent funding.
Parents, teachers, counselors and union representatives emphasized immediate student impacts. "Right now, our special education classrooms are in crisis," said Amanda Scott, who spoke on behalf of students with disabilities, adding that vacancies and revolving substitutes are disrupting learning and safety. "Families are witnessing their children regress," she said.
Multiple counselors and social workers described program outcomes and the risks of losing staff funded by expiring grants. "By investing in elementary school counselors, we're investing in mental health, safer schools and long-term student success," said Evette Jackson, an elementary school counselor. Tori Shelley, a school social worker, described cases where on-site social work "literally saved" a student's life and urged a permanent district investment in social workers.
Several speakers linked the issue to the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program, which district staff run across 61 schools. "If you remove funding for the AVID coaches, you will be effectively abandoning EGUSD AVID," said Kayn Raymond, a middle-school teacher. Former AVID students and site coordinators credited the program for higher graduation and college-going rates.
Classified employees and union leaders raised compensation and benefits concerns. Crystal McGee, president and business agent of ATU 256, urged improved health and welfare and noted low starting wages cited by several speakers. Transportation and maintenance staff described high workloads and pay pressures as the district grows.
Board President Vargas thanked speakers and said administration would reach out to those who raised specific issues. No action was taken at the meeting; the board will consider budget and staffing decisions during the upcoming 2025–26 budget cycle, with further reports and negotiations scheduled in coming months.
