Dear Superintendent Jones and Assistant Superintendent Pedroza,
We understand that a significant number of Special Education staff are being displaced due to enrollment issues. Although we recognize that these displacements are consistent with the staffing formulas agreed to under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, we are concerned about the impact at some schools that are losing staff positions. We have been contacted by families and staff at some schools who are concerned that staff reductions at their schools, although allowable, do not take into account the extremely high needs of the students at their schools. In some cases, students have significantly higher needs than usual due to the COVID transition back to in-person learning.
Is there a process for schools, staff or families to bring these specific situations to the attention of someone at the District to address whether exceptions should be approved at any individual schools? Is the Special Education Department reviewing each proposed reduction — not just based on contract numbers — but based on site-based student needs to make sure that all students and staff have safe environments in which to learn and teach? Is it possible to use ESSER funds to maintain staffing where needed to address student needs?
We recognize that this is a difficult process and that there are also schools that are critically under-staffed at the moment, which must be addressed. Our hope, however, given the challenges our students and families are facing, is that these decisions are being made with actual student needs being taken into consideration, not based solely on enrollment numbers.
Respectfully,
Cc: School Board Directors
