Fresno Unified School District plans to issue 250 preliminary layoff notices to classified employees this year as the district responds to declining student attendance and a drop of 1,000 students in enrollment.
Under the state education code, school districts must provide preliminary layoff notices by March 15 each year.
District officials said this year’s notices will go to classified staff across a range of positions, including teachers, custodians, bus drivers and counselors.
Employees who receive a notice may request a hearing if they believe they should not be included in the annual layoff cycle.
Those hearings are expected to take place next month before an administrative law judge, who will issue recommendations on each case. The school board will then decide whether to adopt those recommendations before final notices are sent in May.
Annarita Howell of Fresno Unified Human Resources said the process does not always result in job loss.
“The bumping and layoff process, the statutory requirements for layoff need to take place because there may be a reduction of hours or a reduction of duty days or a reduction in salary. So layoffs does not necessarily mean people are losing their jobs. They may be reassigned or bumped into another position,” she said.
District officials said the bumping and layoff process will be based on employee seniority.
Final notices are scheduled to be issued by May 14.
For news and weather updates, follow Christina Lopez on X and Instagram.