The Board received an update on the district’s fiscal stabilization efforts as staff work to address declining enrollment, the expiration of one-time pandemic funding, and a structural deficit.
Superintendent Loftus acknowledged that staffing reductions are among the most difficult decisions facing the organization, noting that many positions expanded during and after the pandemic were supported by temporary pandemic funding sources that are no longer available.
Staff noted that prior to the pandemic, elementary sites did not have counselors. Counseling services were added following the pandemic using one-time pandemic funding.
Staff explained that the district provides elementary schools site-level funding intended to support supplemental staffing based on each site’s unique needs. While the one-time pandemic funds that supported the creation of elementary counseling positions are no longer available, school sites may choose to prioritize counseling services within their school plans using these discretionary site allocations.
In addition, staff noted that staffing reductions are occurring across multiple areas of the district and affect positions within classified, certificated, and management employee groups as part of broader fiscal stabilization efforts.
Staff clarified that negotiated salary increases have not been incorporated into the current plan, with each 1% salary adjustment estimated to increase district costs by approximately $780,000.
Counseling Reductions
As part of the reduction planning process, principals were asked to evaluate which positions most directly support safe school operations. Based on prior reductions, strategic priorities, and feedback from school communities, site leaders identified assistant principals and Student Engagement Specialists as critical partners in maintaining campus safety. Staff reported that sustaining both expanded counseling staffing and these site safety leadership roles was not financially feasible.
As previously mentioned, school sites may choose to fund counseling services through site allocations or share counselors across campuses, with decisions made through School Site Council processes.
Behavior paraeducator reductions
Behavior paraeducator positions were also expanded using one-time pandemic funding. Staff emphasized that these employees are skilled and valued members of the district workforce and that alternative roles within the district may be available for affected employees. Several behavior paraeducator positions remained vacant throughout the year, creating staffing challenges that informed reduction planning and broader prioritization of student supports.
