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Parents and union urge board to reconsider Terrace teacher cuts and proposed ICS bus changes
Summary
Parents and the teachers' union urged CCSD 62 to rethink a proposed cut of three full-time teachers at Terrace and a plan to remove free bus service to ICS, warning of larger class sizes, staff burnout and financial hardship for families.
Parents and union leaders told the CCSD 62 Board on March 16 that proposed staffing cuts and transportation changes would harm students and teachers.
Janet Federico (speaker 10), a parent, requested a written response and said administrators propose cutting three full-time teachers at Terrace next year, which would leave some grade levels with only one teacher. She noted a district document listing average class size in Title buildings at 16.1 and asked how that number was calculated, urging the board to explain the threshold that would prompt a new hire. Federico said families would lose mentors and that mental-health and burnout concerns for teachers should be considered.
Chris Herragat (speaker 11), vice president of the union, asked the board to work collaboratively with staff as the district addresses its financial challenges. Herragat argued state-mandated programs and growing student needs—not staff decisions—are driving personnel costs, said vacancies are already straining programs and reported rising teacher injury reports tied to unfilled positions. "Reducing compensation for the dedicated professionals who serve our students every day is not a sustainable or responsible solution to our district's financial challenges," he said.
Elizabeth Jamriska (speaker 6), a parent of three students at ICS, urged the board to keep busing for ICS students, warning the loss of free transportation would impose serious costs: she estimated $1,290 annually for busing next year for her family and suggested a nine-year Kthrough8 span could cost $11,610 for three children. Jamriska said removing busing could force families to transfer children out of the school and create emotional distress for students.
Why it matters: The comments tie personnel and transportation proposals to student access, teacher workload and family finances. Board decisions on staffing and transportation affect classroom sizes and whether families can keep children at community schools.
What's next: Public comments were recorded during the meeting and staff will follow up in writing when requested; the board did not take an immediate vote on the specific staffing or busing proposals at this session.
Quote: "I would like to know how this is fair to the teachers you've involuntarily transferred out of Terrace...and for that matter, how is it fair to our kids?" Janet Federico said.
