FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Fresno Unified employees voiced their concerns on Wednesday about the proposed layoffs the district is considering.
During a news conference in downtown Fresno, the group argued that the job cuts are not necessary and claimed the district has hundreds of millions of dollars in funds that could be used to prevent layoffs.
“Fresno Unified is going to end the year with $315 million, $175 million of that is in unrestricted funds, that means they can do anything they want with that. That’s discretionary money,” Fresno Teachers Association president Manuel Bonilla said. “I have to ask, how can you justify layoffs that harm our students while sitting on that level of discretionary money?”
The Fresno Teachers Association claims that a potential defamation lawsuit and settlement could be impacting the district’s financial decisions.
District officials responded to the FTA’s claims, saying the district can’t discuss the pending litigation but has insurance to cover it.
“It’s really not that simple, but we will be going into a detailed breakdown at the next board meeting. A lot of those funds are being actively spent to maintain positions…” Fresno Unified chief financial officer Patrick Jensen said. “…And then $20 million is FTA’s own money so I would press them and ask them why they are counting that against the preserve.”
Fresno Unified Board officials say every employee that loses their position will be offered another position within the district.
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