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Auburn teachers union warns board about turnover, contractor costs and projected deficit
Summary
Sarah Liebert, president of the Auburn Union Teachers Association, told the board the district has hired 36 teachers since July but lost seven (a roughly 19% turnover among hires), raised concerns about $40,000 in monthly contracted behavioral-services costs, and cited county projections of an unrestricted deficit that staff will address in interim reports.
Sarah Liebert, president of the Auburn Union Teachers Association, urged the Auburn Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees to ratify a tentative agreement and to act on staffing and budget signals she said are affecting students.
"We can't continue to bleed our teaching staff like this," Liebert said, noting that the district hired more than 36 teachers since July and lost seven of them — a turnover rate she described as roughly 19% among hires this year. She also drew the board's attention to recurring contractor costs for behavioral services, saying, "This month, it was over $40,000." Liebert asked the board to invest in in-house behavioral supports tied to the district's community schools grant so contracted costs could be reduced.
Liebert also cited the county office's projection of an "estimated unrestricted deficit spending of 2.9%" and read figures from a county letter noting roughly $436,000 in current-year shortfall and larger deficits in subsequent years. "Just food for thought," she concluded, signing her remarks "In solidarity, Sarah Liebert, ATA president."
Board members acknowledged the concerns and pointed to steps intended to address retention and supports. The superintendent noted the district will continue to refine interim financial reports and align LCAP spending and budget adjustments to support staff and prioritized services. "We need to invest in highly qualified teachers who want to be here," Liebert said, framing the union's ask as both financial and programmatic.
