While some teachers can breathe a sigh of relief, others are
still anxiously anticipating the state budget’s effect on their
future employment.
While some teachers can breathe a sigh of relief, others are still anxiously anticipating the state budget’s effect on their future employment.
Today is the deadline for delivering layoff notices to school staffs, including teachers. Many were unsure if they would lose their jobs because of imminent cuts in education. Many still are.
While the Aromas-San Juan Unified School District delivered notices Monday, the Hollister School District was up against the deadline, still hoping to rehire teachers despite giving them notices today.
Many teachers have dealt with uncertainty for months. Now, those in the ASJUSD know definitely who will be laid off.
The district estimated a need to reduce staff by 15 full-time equivalent employees but ended up sending final notices to six full-time equivalents, which affected five teachers, according to Jackie Munoz, district superintendent.
On Monday, the district sent letters to staff, including notices of recall or rehire to 24 teachers who were served with March 15 notices of intent to lay off.
“I am so relieved, and at the same time, I’m upset we had to lay off anyone,” Munoz said. “It’s bittersweet.”
After the notices of possible layoff were sent, district officails held a hearing requested by teachers to make sure decisions were made according to law.
The district had no retirements this year and two teachers resigned. Five were on leaves of absence this school year and two are coming back next year, Munoz said.
Thirty-five teachers within the HSD requested the hearing, which was held in April. As of this week, all 35 will receive final notices of layoff, said Bill Jordan, director of human resources.
“I want to let them know as soon as I can,” Jordan said. “There still is (uncertainty). Things will change, but they will change later on.”
The district hopes to rehire some teachers who receive the notice.
“I was called for a reference this week. It was one of those teachers I hated to lose. I do it with mixed emotions,” Jordan said.
He was busy this week because an administrative law judge requested the district prepare additional tie-breaking criteria. A tie-breaker is used when multiple teachers had the same date of first paid service at the district.
Also, the district is still determining what teachers will be retiring after this school year, which could allow for rehires, Jordan said.
“Two years ago, we couldn’t find anybody. Now, we’re laying people off. It’s terrible,” he said.
The district has about 300 teachers, which means the potential 35 layoffs would be more than 10 percent of the district’s teachers.
Of the county’s largest districts, San Benito High School District is in the best shape. The district, which employs more than 100 teachers, delivered layoff notices to two teachers. Both found other jobs within the district.
Director of Human Resources Evelyn Muro said the district is fortunate, a feeling echoed by Union President Clete Bradford.
“This district, unlike the other ones, has a lot of money,” Bradford said.
