Brutal yearly layoff cycle in Berkeley schools means limbo for workers

"In March of last year, Kimberly Wright, coordinator of Willard Middle School's after-school program, received word that the school district was considering eliminating her job as it sought to plug a nearly $8 million budget deficit. Wright, a Berkeley native working in the district since 2018, said it was extremely stressful. She worried how she'd stay in her home. Colleagues said they were struggling to sleep, joining therapy groups to cope, going to the grocery store less and the food bank more, donating plasma to make ends meet and searching for new jobs."

"After a two-month limbo, Wright's job was spared. District leaders decided to push tough financial cuts into the future, with most layoff notices ultimately rescinded. But this March, Wright's after-school role was again on the chopping block. And after last week's school board meeting, Wright learned that while most of the 350 layoff notices issued this year were being rescinded, her job was among 21 the district did not immediately have a plan to save. All now could lose their jobs at the end of the school year if the district can't identify additional resources."

"California law requires school districts to notify employees of potential layoffs by March 15 each year and issue final notices by May 15. The early timeline is meant to give staff time to request hearings or seek other work, and to force districts to publicly analyze budgets and justify proposed cuts. The mandate dates back to the 1970s, wh"

Kimberly Wright, coordinator of an after-school program at Willard Middle School, received notice that her position might be eliminated as the district worked to address a nearly $8 million budget deficit. She described the stress of uncertainty, including difficulty sleeping, using therapy, reducing grocery spending, relying more on food banks, donating plasma, and searching for new jobs. Her job was spared after a period of limbo when district leaders pushed cuts into the future and rescinded most layoff notices. In the following year, she again received a layoff notice, and after a school board meeting learned her job was among a smaller group without an immediate plan to save it. California law requires districts to notify employees by March 15 and issue final notices by May 15 to allow hearings and require public budget justification.

Read at www.berkeleyside.org