On March 5th, school board trustees unanimously voted to lay off 226 SDEA members. This decision was made without regard for the schools that they represent.. Schools are not buildings. They are communities and teachers are the community leaders. Taking away community leaders threatens the entire community. The ripple effects of this unnecessary decision are huge.
These educators are indispensable to their students, coworkers, schools, and communities. Educators know that students deserve a safe and stable learning environment. We work to create that space for our students everyday. We look to the District and school board to help us support our students and families. But instead of support, we are being attacked.
The effects don’t stop there. The callously laid off members are also part of their own families and communities. The threat of layoffs in San Diego, one of the most unaffordable cities in our country, forces these educators to reconsider working in our district. Loss of income and benefits compels our members to seek employment elsewhere. We need educators, yet SDUSD is forcing them out.
The district has the money to rescind all layoffs. We have shown how the district can fix their budget planning mistakes without decimating schools. SDUSD has a $380 million surplus in restricted and unrestricted budgets. There is a $14 million surplus in salary expenses because of vacancies. There is a rainy day fund with $67 million. It’s time for SDUSD to check the weather, because it’s raining. If they don’t act now and rescind all layoffs, there’s going to be a flood.
We are not FTEs on a budget line item. We are the leaders of our communities. We are SDEA.
We will not stop fighting until all pink slips have been rescinded!
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