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Classified staff tell Seaside board schedule changes cost hours and wages; bargaining cited
Summary
During public comment, classified staff and special education assistants said district reassignments removed a health assistant role, costing one worker roughly 168 hours and $3,500; speakers urged the board to address wage and retention issues as bargaining moves toward mediation.
Multiple classified staff members used the public-comment period to describe how a district staffing change has affected their hours and pay. A special education assistant told the board she was removed from her health assistant duties and said the change cost her 168 working days (168 hours) and roughly $3,500 in wages, forcing her to take an additional job to make up lost income.
"They deserve to be able to not have to decide whether they feed their family or heat their house in the middle of winter," said Megan, a special education assistant, urging the board and bargaining representatives to consider wage and scheduling impacts when negotiating. Another staff member, Mike Waldney, who identified himself as a special education assistant and a veteran, expressed strong personal support for district staff even as he acknowledged bargaining and mediation were underway. He said, "This is the best school district I've ever worked in," while also emphasizing that wages and appreciation matter for retention.
The chair reminded the public that the board's role during public comment is to listen and, when follow-up is necessary, to direct the superintendent to respond. The board did not take immediate action during public comment; the meeting later moved to an executive session on classified negotiations and the transcript indicates bargaining will proceed toward mediation.
