As many as six teachers in the Aromas-San Juan Unified School
District will be receiving notices that they may not be rehired
next year as the district struggles to balance its budget amidst
another year of declining student enrollment.
The decision was approved at the district’s board meeting last
week in hopes of saving up to $200,000 next school year.
San Juan Bautista – As many as six teachers in the Aromas-San Juan Unified School District will be receiving notices that they may not be rehired next year as the district struggles to balance its budget amidst another year of declining student enrollment.
The decision was approved at the district’s board meeting last week in hopes of saving up to $200,000 next school year.
The cuts will be based on seniority with the newest employees being the first to go, although various other factors will be considered. Math, special education and physical education teachers are less likely to get notices, as well those who speak Spanish, have higher degrees and other teaching certificates.
“I needed to look at staffing in comparison to enrollment…and knew we had to get ready for it,” said Jackie Muñoz, superintendent of Aromas-San Juan Unified School District.
Enrollment has steadily declined since 2000 when it peaked at 1,390 students. At the beginning of last school year, only 1,268 students were enrolled, meaning the district had no choice but to let some teachers go.
“It’s heartbreaking to make cuts when the very thing you need is more teachers,” said Leslie Austin, president of the school board. “It’s a very dissatisfying experience when you know you are working very hard for the students, but that you have no choice but to do this.”
School districts watch attendance closely and decide in the spring whether they will need to hire or fire teachers the following school year. If they think they will get less money from the state because of a decrease in attendance, districts look for cost-cutting measures, which may include not rehiring teachers. Teachers’ contracts last one year. However, if some teachers retire, not as many positions will be eliminated, said Austin. Teachers usually announce retirement plans in the last months of classes.
In addition to a decline in enrollment, schools in the Aromas-San Juan Unified School District, like others around the state, are also facing additional costs to the California Teacher Retirement System, or CalSTRS, which used to be paid for by the state.
Karina Ioffee covers education and agriculture for the Free Lance. Reach her at (831)637-5566 ext. 335 or kioffee@freelance news.com
