Tehachapi Unified board approves certificated and classified position reductions; parents urge preserving freshman sports and social‑worker roles

TEHACHAPI, Calif. — The Tehachapi Unified School District Board of Trustees on Feb. 5 approved a package of resolutions that will reduce both certificated and classified staffing levels for the 2026–27 school year and establish seniority and tie‑breaker rules for any necessary layoffs.

On a series of roll‑call votes the board approved Resolution 01F, a list of certificated program reductions and credential‑based protections, and Resolutions 02F and 03F, which set tie‑breaker criteria and adopt the district seniority list used to determine the order of employment in reductions. The board then approved Resolution 04F, which discontinues or reduces specified classified positions. The motions were moved by Vice President Kelly and carried on voice or roll‑call votes; the classified‑position motion carried with one abstention from Trustee Christiansen (vote recorded 4 yes, 1 abstain, 2 absent).

Why it matters: the motions collectively set personnel and program changes the district says are needed to address a budget shortfall and will affect a mix of instructional, support and operational jobs. Public commenters told the board those cuts would remove supports that keep students safe, connected and on track academically.

What the board approved

Resolution 01F (certificated reductions) listed particular program and position adjustments including reductions to PE and other certificated categories; the document as read to the board stated a total of 12.75 full‑time‑equivalent (FTE) certificated positions to be reduced or discontinued. The resolution also directed the superintendent to notify affected employees and noted the board may deviate from strict seniority where specialized credentials or competency are required.

Resolutions 02F and 03F set the criteria and approved the seniority list used when employees share the same first paid date of service. The tie‑breaker criteria the board adopted include credential types, bilingual certification, special‑education credentials, experience, training, competence, evaluations and extracurricular assignments.

Resolution 04F (classified reductions) enumerated classified positions to be reduced or eliminated effective July 1, 2026. The resolution listed positions and fractional FTE counts (for example: custodial 3.88 FTE; tutors 2.06 FTE; physical education paraprofessionals 2.44 FTE; Title I para 1.02 FTE; site technology technician 1.0 FTE; groundskeeper 1.0 FTE; roving health clerk 0.75 FTE; administrative clerk athletics 0.05 FTE; instructional para RTI Tompkins 0.75 FTE) and a stated total of 15.65 FTE. The board directed that written notice be provided to affected permanent classified employees no later than March 15, 2026.

Public reaction at the meeting

A string of public commenters opposed the reductions and emphasized specific programs. Jennifer Grigsby, a parent, challenged the board’s publicly stated rationale for cutting freshman sports, asking, "why did our board members blatantly lie to us and why did nobody do any research?" She and other parents said transportation costs would not be saved because freshman teams typically travel on buses with JV and varsity teams and cited bus capacity figures.

Shandy Thompson said she reviewed a recent meeting recording and said Superintendent Bell had suggested eliminating freshman sports could save about $18,000; Thompson told trustees she contacted other league schools and found they were not eliminating freshman squads, calling on the board to "state facts" rather than what she described as "gaslighting parents."

Multiple speakers urged retention of social‑work and intervention staff. A student who identified himself as Soy Balukis described social workers’ role in helping peers through grief; Kelsey Bejorquez, a paraeducator and parent, read a short statement from a child, "Save Mr. Hecker," urging the board to retain the social‑emotional learning staff member. Peggy Martin, an intervention teacher at Golden Hills, described a classroom exercise in which students raised assessment scores and warned that cutting intervention services would cause vulnerable students to "fall through the cracks." CSEA Chapter President Sandy Resendes asked the board to work collaboratively to protect classified staff where possible.

Numbers and timelines cited at the meeting

The district stated fractional FTE figures for many positions; district staff clarified to trustees that figures such as 3.88 reflect combinations of part‑time positions (for example, two roving custodial positions plus transitions of part‑time custodians to other hours) rather than partial hours. The classified reductions resolution sets July 1, 2026 as the effective date for discontinuances and directs the superintendent to give written notice to affected employees no later than March 15, 2026. A public commenter said coach stipends for freshman sports were roughly $10,000; the district cited an estimated $18,000 savings figure in prior discussion, which commenters disputed.

Board process and next steps

Board members moved the resolutions during the new‑business portion of the special meeting and approved them in sequence. Trustees emphasized that reducing positions is difficult and that the district considered attrition where possible. The board recessed to closed session at 5:50 p.m. to discuss specified personnel items under Government Code and returned at 6:37 p.m. with no reportable action. The meeting adjourned at 6:38 p.m.

What the public will see next

Affected employees will receive written notices as described in the resolutions. The resolutions also state that reemployment rights and displacement rights will be explained in those notices. The board did not take additional public action or adopt alternatives at the meeting; several community members said they intend to continue to press the district to retain freshman athletic opportunities and social‑emotional staff.