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Eureka Union board adopts resolution to reduce select classified hours; trustees stress notices are procedural
Summary
The Eureka Union Board of Trustees voted 5-0 to adopt a resolution reducing hours for certain classified positions (paraeducators, aides, health assistants, library clerk and intervention posts) to satisfy March 15 notice requirements; trustees and staff said the changes reflect timing and position-structure rules rather than a district budget shortfall.
The Eureka Union Board of Trustees voted 5-0 to adopt a resolution that reduces hours for selected classified employees, a measure trustees said is driven by statutory notice requirements and position-structure rules rather than an immediate budget shortfall.
Dr. Miller, who presented the item, described the measure as an annual review of job descriptions that identifies supplemental hours to be reduced "as we go into the 26-27 school year," noting many of the reductions reflect minutes added on top of a 30-hour base and could be restored depending on future funding and student needs. "This is an annual resolution that we bring forth...we do review our structure and employment, particularly with our classified staff," Dr. Miller said.
Dr. Miller and staff provided counts and categories affected: paraeducator adjustments involve 12 individuals out of 47 in that category; all eight health assistants are affected; 18 of 34 generalist aides are identified for reductions; one study-hall position; three math-intervention slots at a single campus (one of those staff has already notified the district they will not return next year); and one library clerk out of eight. Dr. Miller said site leaders may later request restoration of hours if student needs and funding permit.
A trustee moved to remove special-education paraeducators from the list, arguing the district consistently needs paraeducators; after staff explained that the recommended reductions targeted supplemental minutes attached to specific individuals rather than wholesale cuts to positions, the trustee withdrew the motion. "We are negatively impacting people," one trustee said, pressing the board to ensure site leaders understand there is no guarantee hours will be restored.
Staff explained the timing constraint: under Education Code notice rules the district must provide March 15 notices for classified changes, and that timeline has replaced a previous 60-day window, forcing earlier action even when enrollment and funding details remain uncertain. "We're cleaning things up," Tom said, discussing the historical shift to the March 15 notice requirement.
A different staff member described how some intervention work historically was paid by timesheet, but with classified employees covered by the union those duties now may need to be structured as positions; the district said it will work with CSEA and site leaders on implementation.
Trustees moved and seconded adoption of the resolution; the roll call showed Trustees Conklin, Dahlstrom, Grover, Nash and President Holt voting "Aye," and the resolution passed 5-0. The board then announced a forthcoming board visit, set the next meeting for the 10th, and recessed to closed session on personnel and conference with legal counsel under "government code 5454957."
