EL CAJON, Calif. — In hopes of addressing budgetary shortfalls, Grossmont Union High School District is now the latest school district in the county and the state to announce a new round of layoffs.
During a March 12 meeting, Grossmont Union board members approved the elimination of mulitple full-time positions and the plan to send initial notices to the employees who could potentially be affected. After the District completes its analysis, the Board will vote again prior to May 15 to finalize any of the potential layoffs that are determined to be necessary.
Before the vote, Superintendent Mary Beth Kastan wrote a letter to school administrators and faculty about the need to eliminate positions in hopes of balancing the district's budget.
Read the letter:
Colleagues,
While this is not an easy message to write, I need to provide you with an important update.
As you have likely seen in media reports over the last several months, school districts across the country are preparing for challenging budget times. Some recent reports have even suggested that California's budget situation has worsened since the Legislative Analyst's Office initially pegged the state’s deficit at $68 Billion.
I am extremely proud of the work that our District and Governing Board have done over many years to prepare for times like these. However, given that our District receives the vast majority of our revenue from the State of California, even exemplary budget planning like ours cannot provide complete immunity from a deteriorating state fiscal situation and declining enrollment throughout California.
As we continue to monitor the situation and remain hopeful for a change in the tide, we also have a responsibility to prepare for the difficult days that are likely ahead. That is why I am writing today.
While our District and Governing Board have worked hard to avoid workforce reductions, the current situation makes it very likely that some staff layoffs for next school year will be required.
Under similarly difficult circumstances in the past, our Governing Board’s top priority was always to shield the classroom as much as possible. That principle will continue to guide us as we determine the extent and location of reductions based on the District’s overall needs.
State law requires school districts to inform any full-time school employee in writing by March 15 of the possibility that they may be released from their position for the following school year that begins July 1. After the District completes its analysis and determines where the reductions are necessary, state law then requires the District, by May 15, to notify any employees who will be released from their positions. If the employee has rights to another position in the District, the May 15 notice will also include the employee’s new assignment.
Given the rapidly evolving situation and the very tight timeline on which we must conduct our analysis, it is very likely that a larger-than-normal number of layoff notices will be distributed. Limiting the impact on our school sites will require the greatest amount of flexibility possible. Again, if you receive a potential layoff notice on March 15, it does not guarantee that you will be released from your position. A March 15 notice simply informs an employee of the possibility of a layoff should the District ultimately determine that it is necessary.
Having experienced challenging budget times at different points during my 37-year career in this District, I am fully aware of how difficult it must be to read this message. I assure you it was painful for me to write. Still, I thought the most important thing was to be as transparent with you as possible about the situation. I will be sure to provide you with updates as we move forward.
With deep gratitude for your service,
Mary Beth Kastan
Superintendent