Board approves preliminary personnel resolutions and tie‑breaking criteria as staffing work continues

The board approved a set of preliminary personnel resolutions on Feb. 12 that allow the district to proceed with legally required notice and processes if staffing reductions are necessary. The actions included: approval of tie‑breaking criteria (resolution for Education Code §44955 tie‑breaking), a resolution to begin reduction of specified classified positions that may be eliminated due to lack of work or funds, and a preliminary reduction/discontinuance list for certain certificated positions tied to program changes or grant expirations.

Assistant Superintendent Ibarra and HR staff explained the criteria used for tie‑breaking and for priority/retention decisions, which include credentialing in shortage subjects (e.g., math, science, special education), bilingual authorizations (BCLAD), specialized CTE credentials, and prior contractual time with the district. Staff emphasized that the notices are preliminary; actual affected employees could change through retirements, resignations or bumping rights before final notices are issued by the May 15 statutory deadline.

The board moved and approved the tie‑breaking criteria and both classified and certificated reduction resolutions. Trustees acknowledged the difficulty of potential reductions and asked staff to continue seeking attrition and other mitigations before finalizing any layoff notices.