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Long Beach educators warn board that proposed library and frontline cuts will harm students
Summary
Dozens of teachers, librarians and classified staff urged the Long Beach Unified School Board to reconsider proposed layoffs and steep cuts to library services, saying reductions to teacher librarians and library media assistants will reduce student access to literacy supports and safe learning spaces.
Dozens of educators and students told the Long Beach Unified School Board on Dec. 10 that proposed staffing cuts would leave many schools without regular library services and reduce supports for students.
"I was told last week that McBride High School will receive no library services next year," said Chris Delagarza, a teacher librarian, testifying during the public-comment period. He described libraries as sites for literacy instruction, media-literacy lessons and safe spaces for students.
Katishaiah, a teacher librarian with 26 years in the district, told the board the proposal would reduce teacher librarians from 37 to 18 — a 52% cut — and library media assistants from 20 to 3, an 85% reduction. "These positions ensure that students feel safe and supported," she said, asking the board to prioritize cuts away from student-facing roles.
Other speakers highlighted staffing shortfalls and safety concerns in classrooms and special-education settings. Keisha Woods, a special-education teacher of 30 years, said losing classroom aides in moderate-to-severe classrooms has made it impossible to deliver instruction and has created safety risks. "One aide spent 45 minutes this morning changing 11 kids," she said, urging the board to reconsider the proposed ratios.
Hannah Deck, a library media assistant who said she staffs four elementary school libraries, read a list of 2024 compensation figures for district executives and questioned why frontline roles face layoffs while higher-paid central-office positions remain. "We were told the top priority is student success. Do not go through with these layoffs," she said.
Labor representative Dallas Emerley of CSEA urged the board not to lay off teachers or classified staff and cited a recent grievance decision as an example of the human and fiscal costs of litigation and appeals.
Several student speakers, including Elizabeth Segura, a Jordan High junior interning with Californians for Justice, asked the board to protect classroom resources and to use reserves if necessary so students would not lose teachers, librarians and counselors.
Board members listened and noted follow-up steps. President Craighead said staff will take notes and follow up on concerns raised during public comment. The board made no formal decision on staffing during the meeting; several speakers asked the board to publicly reconsider the cuts ahead of upcoming budget votes.
