Community urges Escondido Union High board to narrow or rescind layoff notices

Dozens of classified employees, union representatives and parents pressed the Escondido Union High School District board on March 10 to rescind or narrow proposed layoff notices affecting roughly 16.34 FTE and an estimated 19 individuals.

"I urge the district to prioritize preserving classified positions that directly support student learning and school operations," said a CSEA representative during public comment, listing health office assistants, counseling secretaries, buyers and translators as roles at risk. Speakers from multiple campuses described daily workloads and safety concerns, saying the positions perform tasks that would not disappear if jobs were cut.

Several speakers detailed concrete examples. Monica Estrada, the district's special education interpreter, told trustees she participates in "more than 18 IEP meetings" in a typical week and warned that eliminating the role would risk legal noncompliance under federal IDEA requirements and reduce parents' ability to participate in decisions about services. Health office assistants described responding to asthma attacks, seizures and diabetic events and said cutting those positions would leave campuses without immediate, trained support when nurses are occupied elsewhere.

Board President Knight said tonight's vote to adopt a March resolution to identify staff for potential reduction was taken to preserve the district's statutory options under the March 15 notification deadline, but she promised continued review and staff will try to reduce the list before final action in May. The initial resolution passed by roll call after extended public comment.