Pacific Grove Unified board approves CSEA tentative agreement and creates Lead Night Custodian role

The Pacific Grove Unified School District Board of Education on June 29 approved a tentative two-year agreement with the California School Employees Association (CSEA) Chapter 229 and adopted a memorandum of understanding creating a Lead Night Custodian classification.

The board opened a public hearing on the tentative agreement for 2025–2026 and approved the deal as an action item. Chief Human Resources Officer Rogaman said the public hearing is a required step and described the agreement’s red-lined language and covered articles, adding, “we feel like we made some excellent progress with CSEA this year” and noted CSEA representatives were present to answer questions. Trustee Hazen thanked the negotiating teams for their work and urged continued collaboration.

The board also acknowledged CSEA’s initial proposals for 2026–2029 and discussed timing for bargaining over the 2026–27 compensation year so district adjustments align across employee groups. Trustees and staff said they expect related resolutions to be brought forward at the district’s first regular August meeting so compensation changes can be implemented consistently.

In a separate action, the board approved an MOU with CSEA Chapter 229 establishing a Lead Night Custodian classification intended to provide site-to-site guidance, supplemental training for night custodians, and operational relief for facilities leadership. Staff said one existing custodial vacancy will be used to create the lead role so overall staffing levels will remain neutral. The Assistant Superintendent provided the pay detail included in the meeting packet: an annual base increase of $5,537.64 for the position and a night-differential that effectively places the role one pay range above the listed base during night shifts.

Trustees pressed staff on how the role differs from supervision and on training for employees assuming the lead duties. The district emphasized the position is designed as a lead and support role rather than a formal supervisory title and said the role will include training responsibilities; board members requested formal training be provided to prepare leads to support other staff.

All motions on the agenda — including adoption of the meeting agenda, approval of consent items, approval of the tentative CSEA agreement, acknowledgement of initial proposals for 2026–2029, and approval of the lead custodian MOU — passed by voice votes with four trustees in attendance and one absent. The board reported out from closed session that it received information on the listed closed-session items and took no further reportable action.

The district will be dark in July; its next regular board meeting is scheduled for Aug. 13, 2026. The board offered farewell remarks to Trustee Dr. Hazen during closing comments.