Berkeley Unified School District to eliminate LEARNS Afterschool Program coordinators among other layoff, reduction notices | Local Schools

The Berkeley Unified School District has given final layoff notices for all nine Berkeley LEARNS Afterschool Program coordinators, among other classified employee reduction notices.

BUSD proposed to restructure the LEARNS program — which supports students academically, culturally and recreationally after the traditional school day ends until 6 p.m., according to the BUSD website — to function without coordinators at a School Board meeting April 15.

“I think you’re gonna lose quality leadership,” said Evan Adorador, the LEARNS coordinator at BUSD’s Emerson Elementary School. “I think you’re gonna lose the benefit of having direct supervisors on site, so if any kind of issues, whether it’s a staff problem or a parent problem, the person’s supervisor is going to be off campus.”

The staffing proposal A, presented in the school board meeting, included 12 supervisors — one at each BUSD elementary school — and three “auditors” who would each manage the administrative tasks for the LEARNS program at four schools. According to Adorador, the three auditor positions have also been referred to as “compliance monitors.”

School Board director and clerk Jennifer Shanoski cited budget concerns for the potential staffing changes. The staffing proposal that included 12 coordinator roles would violate compliance with the state After School Education and Safety grant, according to the school board meeting presentation.

“I will say that the Board takes its fiduciary and governance responsibilities very seriously and is concerned that public education should be fully funded,” said School Board president Mike Chang, in an email. “This principle includes the retention of all employees to the extent possible in order to effectuate BUSD’s student centered mission.”

Adorador alleged that most LEARNS coordinators will likely be demoted to the position of specialist. Coordinators supervise staff, manage administrative tasks such as ensuring accurate student attendance recording and work directly with students and families, according to Adorador.

Anita Rayyan is the LEARNS coordinator at Sylvia Mendez Elementary School, which includes a two-way English and Spanish language immersion program. They alleged that if they lose their position, the school risks losing its only Spanish-speaking after-school program leader.

“Not only is Sylvia Mendez going to be losing a manager and not only is it going to be losing the language skill that allows us to communicate with families and enroll in-need families and meet the needs of our Spanish-speaking students, it’s gonna lose stability,” Rayyan said.

Shanoski urged individuals concerned about the layoff and reduction notices to push for the full funding of Proposition 98, which establishes a minimum funding level for state K-12 schools and community colleges.

Final layoff and reduction notices were given to employees by May 14, according to a school board meeting resolution.

“Making decisions like we have to make on nights like tonight are the worst part of this job,” Shanoski said in the May 6 school board meeting. “It’s really challenging.”