Santa Paula USD board approves interim budget, issues notices that would cut 59 classified positions

The Santa Paula Unified School District Board of Trustees approved the district's second interim budget on March 11 and voted to issue March 15 notices that would eliminate or reduce hours for 59 classified positions, a move officials said is needed to avoid deeper fiscal distress.

Superintendent Jeffrey Weinstein and district fiscal staff told the board the current-year picture includes a planned $3.6 million transfer from the deferred maintenance fund into the general fund to cover operating shortfalls. With that transfer, the district is projecting an operating deficit of roughly $5.6 million for the 2024-25 fiscal year and forecasted larger gaps in subsequent years under current assumptions. The district reviewed multiyear projections showing a potential deficit near $7.0 million in 2025-26 and about $8.4 million in 2026-27 if revenue and expenditure assumptions do not change.

The March 15 notices covered seven bilingual outreach specialist positions, seven bilingual instructional assistant positions and reductions in hours for 41 campus supervision assistants and four campus security officers. Administration said the action follows Education Code procedures for layoffs based on lack of work or lack of funds and preserves employees' reemployment rights for 39 months.

Board members discussed options to soften impacts if additional funding arrives. Trustee questions and public comments repeatedly noted that some positions the board is being asked to eliminate are central to campus safety, attendance outreach and student supports. Several speakers—classified staff, teachers, students and parents—said outreach specialists and campus security officers establish relationships that help keep students engaged, reduce incidents on campus, and serve as daily trusted adults.

Trustee comments acknowledged the difficulty of the decision and emphasized the board's duty to avoid a state takeover that can follow a negative budget certification. Trustees and staff outlined potential strategies to restore positions if grant funding materializes: converting one-time or targeted grant dollars, using site council or Title I allocations where allowable, and re-creating similar roles under new grant-funded job descriptions (noting that state grant rules prohibit supplanting existing positions). Administration said the district has applied for a Community Schools grant (multi-year, if awarded) that would fund similar coordinator roles but warned the grant outcome and timing are uncertain. The board voted to approve the resolution to issue notices; final staffing decisions must still follow statutory timelines and may change before the May 15 final actions.

The budget presentation also called attention to enrollment and ADA trends. District staff explained how the state funds districts using a rolling average of ADA and cautioned that enrollment declines and uncertain state revenues could deepen the budget shortfall. Trustees urged further work to identify structural savings, review special education contracting costs, examine all program budgets, and pursue grants and revenue opportunities.

The board passed the second interim budget by roll call vote and approved the March 15 classified notices. Board members said they will continue discussions in the coming weeks and re-evaluate staffing options if additional funding or reallocation opportunities arise.

The board will reconvene on upcoming dates to finalize any decisions required by statute; the public and employees were encouraged to communicate with district leaders and the board about possible solutions and priorities.