Board approves 20% resignation incentive for up to 44 positions; trustee raises fairness concerns

Trustees approved a voluntary resignation/retirement incentive intended to reduce staff counts and address part of the district's projected shortfall. Administration presented the program as a targeted, one‑time opportunity to accelerate staffing reductions and estimated the measure would remove 44 positions and generate approximately $2.6 million in recurring savings for the 2026–27 budget.

Superintendent Richard Rivera framed the program as a practical step to reduce payroll obligations and help right‑size the district: "...we have 44 employees, which equals to 3,200,000. Giving them 20% is... the savings is 2,600,000 for 2627," staff said during the discussion. Trustees debated the size of the incentive, whether the district needed to limit rehiring of participants, and the notice provided to trustees and affected employees. Trustee Marco De Los Santos recorded a dissent on the percentage, stating for the record that his 'no' vote reflected concerns about the 20% rate and the short window of notice rather than opposition to the concept.

After deliberation the board voted to approve the 20% payout as proposed. Administration said it would not rehire those specific positions and that critical positions needed for operations would be filled as required, but trustees asked for follow-up to clarify which roles would be permanently removed, what safeguards will prevent immediate rehire in another capacity, and whether a smaller window or different percentage would be more equitable in future installments.