Union members tell Solano County board to probe Vallejo Unified hiring and contracts amid layoffs

Community members called on the Solano County Board of Education to investigate contracting and hiring practices at Vallejo City Unified School District as classified staff face layoffs.

Giovanni Espadia, who identified himself as an HR technician at Vallejo City Unified and treasurer of CSCA Vallejo chapter 199, said the district approved five new management job descriptions and held interviews during an asserted hiring freeze and asked who those managers would oversee if layoffs proceed. "How is the district hiring new management while simultaneously claiming there is a hiring freeze?" he asked, urging transparency and accountability.

Aubrey Cosentino, a site safety supervisor and CSEA Vallejo Chapter 199 member, cited a specific contractor payment: "the district paid at least $625,000 to Jesus Follower University, a contractor whose founder publicly stated that his goal was to turn students into champions for Christ." She and others argued that public school funds should not be used to support sectarian instruction and asked why the contract was allowed to proceed.

Colette Laiye, a library media technician and CSEA political action coordinator, said a contract that began around $400,000 with a firm she described as Whole Fresh LLP has grown to "$840,000, more than double at the time when the district is facing a $30,000,000 deficit." She added that tasks historically handled in-house—such as sending layoff notices and hearing letters—were outsourced, introducing errors and additional costs.

Sheila Womack, who identified herself as a labor relations representative for CSEA supporting Vallejo Chapter 199, urged county-level oversight: "The Solano County Office of Education cannot continue to rubber stamp these reports," she said, and asked the board to exercise authority to investigate contracting practices and audit funds paid to outside vendors.

CSEA labor representative Nicole Fraser said a CSEA research analyst found contracts linked to "JF University" and a pastor associated with a contractor; she said the union alerted board members and that the problematic contract was pulled. Commenters repeatedly raised the number of layoff notices: speakers referenced 220 possible notices previously and 180 notices more recently, with several trustees and staff clarifying that notices ("pink slips") are often issued by March 15 per process rules.

The board did not take immediate formal action during public comment; trustees later requested an informational agenda item next month to track the Vallejo staff status and related materials.