The Gilroy Unified School District has restored a handful
California School Employee Association positions that were
scheduled to be eliminated or reduced next year due to state budget
cuts.
The Gilroy Unified School District has restored a handful of California School Employee Association positions that were scheduled to be eliminated or reduced next year due to state budget cuts.
“I wished the board room was as packed for this,” said GUSD Board President Rhoda Bress, remarking on the massive audience turnout that filled the building an hour earlier in support of Jack Daley, former Gilroy High School athletic director whose recent ouster has struck a nerve in the community.
Kim Filice, director of human resources for GUSD, presented the motion during a school board meeting Thursday night at 7810 Arroyo Circle. It will restore nine positions to 12 working months, as well as bring back one part-time position and one full-time position that were going to be eliminated entirely.
The decision comes on the heels of funding allocations for the 2011-12 school year in the Governor Jerry Brown’s May revise, which will enable the district to replenish a handful of once endangered jobs. The restoration of these positions is an annual cost of $174,000 according to GUSD.
One of these salvaged occupations belongs to school bus driver Tony Boykins, who received a hug from his boss, GUSD Transportation Supervisor Annie Sharp.
“I’m just happy to have my job back,” he said, standing outside after the meeting.
Boykins is the only employee out of seven part-time, home-to-school bus drivers to have his position restored, Sharp said.
The following changes will be effective July 1, 2011:
– Account Clerk III at Christopher High School: Restored to 12 months
– Account Clerk III at Gilroy High School: Restored to 12 months
– School Office Coordinator at CHS: Restored to 12 months
– School Office Coordinator at GHS: Restored to 12 months
– School Office Coordinator at Brownell Middle School: Restored to 12 months
– School Office Coordinator at Solorsano Middle School: Restored to 12 months
– School Office Coordinator at South Valley Middle School: Restored to 12 months
– Registrar at CHS: Restored to 12 months
– Registrar at GHS: Restored to 12 months
– Maintenance Worker: One full time position
– School Bus Driver: One part time position
Other changes are on the horizon for GUSD’s transportation department and the 1,127 students it carts around on a daily basis.
“This is home-to-school transportation at its minimum,” said Sharp as she delivered a comprehensive presentation of overlay display boards showing shortened bus routes to trustees.
A total of 6 buses will be out of service next year, according to Sharp, and 541 less students will be taxied to and from school activities.
“This is the one that hurts,” she said.
One area that will be negatively impacted includes Eagle Ridge, which has roughly 96 students the district transports throughout the day, Sharp said. An athletic shuttle for Christopher High School swimmers will also cease services.
Trustee Francisco Dominguez pointed out the district needs to jump on the ball and notify parents of changes as soon as possible; an effort that will include mass calls, direct handouts and a posting on the district’s website.
