The Berkeley Unified School District board\u00a0approved the\u00a0potential elimination or reduction in work for more than 120 classified employees within the district,\u00a0as well as reassignment for 231 certificated employees.<\/p>\n
The notices target service provider staff such as safety officers, afterschool supervisors and instructional specialists in art, athletics and drama. The majority of these employees are represented by the Berkeley Council of Classified Employees,\u00a0which advocates for more than 600 nonteaching staff across Berkeley schools.<\/p>\n
Daniel Brownson, a district employee and BCCE representative,\u00a0said the notices were \u201ceven worse than (he) expected,\u201d adding that the union was anticipating 70 to 80 layoffs as opposed to the more than 100 potential notices facing BCCE staff that are listed in the resolution.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Brownson said he was one of the classified employees who was laid off last year, but he was able to find reassignment in a similar position within the district.<\/p>\n
\u201cDepriving someone of their livelihood is essentially a violent act,\u201d Brownson said. \u201cPeople think that sounds extreme, but in our society, your ability to secure those necessities of life \u2014 shelter, food, medical care \u2014 are dependent on your ability to secure employment.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
These notices come as the district is facing a $7.6 million budget deficit. According to the resolution, the district is reducing or terminating classified employee positions \u201cdue to a lack of work and\/or lack of funds.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
These notices of layoff or reassignment, also known as \u201cpink slips,\u201d are mandated by the California education code. As required by law, the district must send out pink slips by March 15 and finalize notices by May 15.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Although more than 120 classified positions are at risk of being cut or reshuffled,\u00a0there is a possibility that some pink slips will be rescinded by the final May deadline. Last year, Berkeley Unified rescinded<\/a> 147 out of 182 layoff notices for nonteaching staff.\u00a0<\/p>\n Out of the 120-plus classified positions that will receive March 15 notices of layoff or reassignment,107 will go to members of BCCE, while 13 will go to members of IFPTE Local 21, which represents the district\u2019s managerial employees. <\/p>\n