Classified staff and parents press Chula Vista board over counselor cuts, pay and transparency

Several union representatives, parents and teachers used the meeting’s public‑comment period to press trustees on staffing cuts and working conditions, arguing that reductions to counselor and behavioral assistant positions will hurt student safety, mental‑health supports and classroom stability.

Ruby Williams, speaking on behalf of the Chula Vista classified employees organization, said staffing shortages have pushed classified workers to take on additional duties and that healthcare costs and substitute pay are driving employees to consider leaving. "Our classified staff show up every day with dedication, flexibility, and genuine care for our students. But dedication alone cannot solve structural problems," Williams said, asking the board for competitive wage increases, clearer departmental responsibilities, and better IEP staffing practices.

Parents and community members described recent student mental‑health crises and urged the board to preserve school‑based counselors and behavioral assistants as a preventive safety strategy. "Removing our school counselors and behavioral assistants creates a huge gap in ensuring our schools are safe," said parent Cara Good, who cited national research on school‑based mental‑health prevention.

Speakers also raised separate concerns about transportation staff pay practices and alleged administrative gaps in the oversight of a large after‑school ELOP contract. A union representative said drivers had to complete additional forms to recover pay for extra minutes worked, a practice the union called unfair and which they said prompted a grievance filing.

Trustees and staff acknowledged the hardship, described ongoing contract negotiations and mediation on healthcare, and said they are working with county and state partners to pursue additional and one‑time funding to sustain mental‑health positions and community‑schools services.