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Pajaro Valley Unified trustees approve several right‑sizing resolutions after hours of public comment
Summary
After roughly four hours of public comment, the Pajaro Valley Unified board approved multiple right‑sizing resolutions to address declining enrollment and one‑time funding expirations while rejecting or tabling others after heated debate and close roll‑call votes.
Pajaro Valley Unified trustees met in a crowded special session to debate a package of staff reductions and organizational restructures tied to expiring one‑time funds and declining enrollment. The board heard more than 30 public speakers — including teachers, principals, students, classified staff and union representatives — before taking action on five resolutions aimed at right‑sizing certificated and classified positions.
Trustees said they faced a difficult fiscal picture. Interim Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Angelica Ria told the board the measures stem from the sustainable budget team’s recommendations and cited Education Code 44955 as the legal basis for certificated reductions. Trustees and district staff warned that without incremental reductions the district risks a negative county certification in later years as reserves shrink.
Public commenters urged the board to spare arts (VAPA) and career technical education (CTE) teachers, maintain elementary release positions and preserve mental‑health clinicians. “Cutting these positions will remove the lifeline for students with special needs,” one parent told the board, referencing proposed cuts to 12 full‑time elementary release positions. Students and teachers said eliminating roughly 7.6 VAPA and 4.0 CTE FTE at the high‑school level would eliminate about 38 elective sections and compromise the availability of a seven‑period day at some campuses.
The board took roll‑call votes on each resolution. Resolution 24‑25‑21 (rightsizing based on overstaffing and declining enrollment) passed on a 4‑2‑1 vote. Subsequent classified reduction resolutions also passed, while Resolution 24‑25‑19 — the separated certificated positions added with one‑time ESSER funds — failed to pass after amendments and a roll‑call vote. Trustees said positions added with one‑time funds total millions and will return for future review when those funds expire.
Trustee debate mixed financial caution with appeals for equity. Some trustees argued the sustainable budget committee had insufficient frontline representation; others said spreading cuts would worsen outcomes next year if the district waited. Labor leaders and the PVFT urged the district to bargain and compel collaborative discussions, and the union announced it had submitted a demand to bargain.
The board asked staff to provide additional detail on consultant costs and to continue studying district‑office configurations. Several trustees said they support longer, more inclusive planning to reduce top‑heavy administration and to pursue strategies to increase enrollment, such as program redesign and community partnerships.
The meeting adjourned at 9:57 p.m. Trustees emphasized the urgency of making hard fiscal choices while asking staff to work with labor and community stakeholders before next year’s further reviews.
