Nearly 100 concerned parents packed the Hollister School Board’s
chambers Tuesday night to voice their concerns over the recent
proposed layoffs of two vice principals and a counselor at Rancho
San Justo Middle School, which many believe will compromise the
safety of their children at the school.
Hollister – Nearly 100 concerned parents packed the Hollister School Board’s chambers Tuesday night to voice their concerns over the recent proposed layoffs of two vice principals and a counselor at Rancho San Justo Middle School, which many believe will compromise the safety of their children at the school.
While it was standing room only during meeting, only a few of the parents and teachers who attended spoke in front of board members, according to Hollister School Board President Margie Barrios. The three positions on the chopping block are only part of 41 positions that could be cut districtwide as the board struggles to overcome a $2 million budget deficit. Over 60 teachers and administrators have been notified they may not have a job next year, but no more than 41 positions will be cut. Those facing termination will officially find out whether they will keep their jobs in mid-May, according to school district officials.
Parents and teachers worried the cuts would seriously deplete Rancho’s disciplinary administration and cause security concerns for parents with children at the school, Barrios said. But the school board said the cuts are necessary because of the governor’s proposed budget.
“We have to plan ahead. There’s always a possibility we could end up better than expected but it’s not likely,” Barrios said. “We’re not expecting any miracles any time soon.”
Barrios said any parent of a student at the middle school, or any Hollister school, is right to be concerned about their children’s safety. But she said she feels confident that even if the layoffs go through, the community will rally around the schools to help ensure students’ safety.
“We have a wonderful pool of volunteers that I think will step forward,” she said. “The community will come forward and they will assist us in keeping our community safe.”
Jan Grist, a second grade teacher at Marguerite Maze Middle School, also spoke about the cuts and blamed the governor for the financial shortfalls affecting all California public schools.
She offered up a plan to start a coalition of school board members, administrators, teachers and parents to help educate city residents about what is happening with the “demise of public education,” and how Schwarzenegger is “balancing the budget on the backs of our children.”
“If we put together a group led by the elected leaders of education in Hollister, we can spread the word about the plight of our district and how this will affect the beloved children in our charge,” Grist said. “Our children are being robbed of their educational dollars by the governor and legislature… I urge the board to take the reins to lead and enlighten our community to what is going on in Sacramento and Washington.”
Hollister School District Assistant Superintendent Peter Gutierrez said he advocates Grist’s suggestion and hopes to get a group of administrators, teachers and parents together to send a bold message to legislators that schools need more funding.
Gutierrez said that the financial outlook for the school district is grim and while school board members don’t want to cut teachers and staff, they may ultimately have no choice.
“It’s not a matter of is this going to happen, it’s a matter of the board deciding whether they want to balance the budget so we’re fiscally solvent,” Gutierrez said. “It’s a tough decision. They all care about our children. But if it comes down to if we don’t make the cuts the state’s going to come in and take over the district and the board, the board’s in a difficult position.”
Hollister resident Jennifer Coile and mother of a Rancho student spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting about her concerns if two vice principals and a counselor, who deal with behavior and disciplinary actions, are eliminated.
“Your mission statement states that you will provide a safe and secure environment for our children to learn. So if you are violating that by willful negligence by eliminating these positions, it occurred to me there must be some attorney in the state who would be willing to sue you,” Coile said. “I know you can’t take action on this in the public comment period, but I suggest you ask the police chief to interview long-time officers and former school resource officers to provide a summary of past conditions to Hollister School District Superintendent (Judith) Barranti, new to the community, to make sure she has the facts to make a sound decision.”
Erin Musgrave covers public safety for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or [email protected]
