FUHSD board votes in favor of layoffs, new positions

During the Monday, Sept. 28 meeting of the Fallbrook Union High School District Board of Trustees, board members voted unanimously to approve a resolution discontinuing services and laying off classified positions within the district.

According to the resolution text, "To increase efficacy and maximize services to students and families, the restructuring of certain classified positions needed to be addressed to ensure efficient and effective delivery of services. In a few cases, the restructuring is due to challenges brought on by COVID 19. Due to lack of work and/or lack of funds, certain classified positions shall be eliminated."

Positions eliminated by the vote included Lead Campus Supervisor, Secretary/Registrar, Storekeeper, Duplication Technician, Help Desk, Network Analyst, Career Technician, and Locker Room Attendant.

According to district superintendent Ilsa Garza-Gonzalez, the cuts and restructuring would save the district more than $91,000 yearly.

Earlier in the week, classified employees that would be directly affected by the layoffs circulated a petition urging board members to vote no on the cuts.

"Classified employees at Fallbrook Union High School have stepped up to serve the community and collaborate with the district during the COVID-19 crisis," the petition read. "As SEIU members, we also worked hard to successfully oppose a state budget proposal with 10% education funding cuts so that funding was restored in the final budget. Classified employees stand ready to partner with the district to be flexible and nimble in adapting to the COVID-19 crisis, but we will not accept unnecessary job eliminations and salary reductions."

In addition, several people spoke up for the classified employees that would be directly affected by the cuts during the public comment portion of the meeting.

After the vote on Sept. 28, however, representatives from the group opposing the move decided to let the issue die.

The layoffs will become effective 60 days after the people in the positions are notified of the cuts, but those employees will be able to apply for the newly formed positions, and no employees will be laid off prior to the positions being filled.

The board also approved new positions and job descriptions for Operations Technician, Network Support Technician II and Campus Supervisor.

Garza-Gonzalez said the employees affected by the layoffs could apply for the new positions and that no employees will be laid off until the new positions are filled.

She clarified that the Lead Campus Supervisor position was being eliminated, but the addition of the campus supervisor role means there won't be fewer campus supervisors at the school.

She said the reason for the change in that role was because the job description that was in place went against the education code on several fronts.

"You put a lot of thought into doing this, which is commendable," board president Diane Summers said.

According to Garza-Gonzalez, only one position will ultimately be eliminated.

Jeff Pack can be reached by email at [email protected].