CTU and labor leaders urge board to press state for overdue funds, use settlements for student services

Union leaders used public comment to press the board and district leadership on funding and staffing priorities. Jackson Potter, CTU vice president, listed multiple revenue sources he said the board should pursue — citing $278 million in data‑center subsidies, a reported $500 million in excess state revenues this year, and a $768 million settlement from certain social platforms that he said should fund counseling and social‑emotional supports. "The money's there. It's in their coffers. Let's go get it together," Potter said.

Other union speakers highlighted local staffing impacts and accountability. Caroline Rutherford (CTU charter division) praised successful school transitions where staffing was restored but warned that a contractor (transcribed as Asero/Aero) eliminated bilingual resource positions and that some schools, including Aspira/Pantoa, experienced last‑minute layoffs and device shortages. Labor leaders asked the board to use its oversight role to ensure renewals and contracts are accompanied by enforceable accountability measures and to press the state for long‑overdue formula funding.