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Parents and teachers tell board special-education vacancies are concentrated and urgent as district approves declaration of need
Summary
During public comment on a declaration of need for fully qualified educators, speakers said nearly 40% of current vacancies are in special education and called for immediate action and training; the board approved the declaration by roll call.
Three public commenters urged the board to prioritize special-education staffing as the board considered a declaration of need for fully qualified educators.
Speaker Jennifer Souza told trustees that "Out of the 26 current vacancies, 10 are in special education," and described what she called a "toxic culture" driving turnover. She urged district leaders to prioritize filling special-education positions and proposed that credentialed district leaders cover SDC classrooms on a temporary basis until vacancies are filled. Fatima Rodriguez, a parent of an autistic child, said teachers lack training for behaviors and supervision, and asked the district to bring specialists to provide appropriate staff training.
Board members moved and carried the declaration of need by roll call. Trustees and staff acknowledged the turnover concerns and said the district is tracking vacancies and working to provide training and materials. Superintendent Castillo and staff noted that some measures such as opt-out timelines and testing requirements come from the state and the district is aligning implementation with state guidance.
