\t\t\t\t\tWhat’s at stake?<\/p>\n
Another set of resolutions for reductions to classified and certificated staff positions in Fresno Unified were approved by the board on Wednesday. The board\u2019s decision begins the process for employees to be bumped down, moved to an alternative position or laid off that will be finalized in mid-May.<\/p>\n
Another round of potential pink slips to employees was approved by the Fresno Unified Board of Education, putting more positions on the line for reductions.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, the board approved two resolutions initiating the process to reduce the equivalent of 49 full-time classified staff positions and two certificated positions.<\/p>\n
David Chavez, the district\u2019s chief of human resources and labor relations, said Wednesday\u2019s votes are similar to the board approved resolutions<\/a> in the Feb. 25 meeting.<\/p>\n \u201cIn this case, the board\u2019s action tonight is not one that is a final decision, but instead it\u2019s just a preliminary notice,\u201d Chavez said during Wednesday\u2019s meeting.<\/p>\n Like the positions that were identified before for reductions<\/a>, the new cuts approved Wednesday will be subject to the \u201cbumping\u201d process. Employees with seniority are bumped down to positions with less pay while retaining their benefits and employment.<\/p>\n Chavez reiterated that even if an employee isn\u2019t able to bump down, the district is looking to offer alternative positions so staff are able to keep their benefits.<\/p>\n Chavez said eliminating the 49 positions wouldn\u2019t actually force anyone out of the district\u2019s workforce, saying \u201cthere aren\u2019t any individuals who are being impacted.\u201d<\/p>\n According to Chavez, the district has a deadline of March 15 \u2014 Sunday \u2014 to notify employees who have been identified for reductions. Staff will be able to have hearings through April if they feel they should not be part of the reductions.<\/p>\n After these hearings, administrative law judges will make recommendations on reductions to the board by May 7. Chavez said once the board adopts the recommendations, a final notification would be\u00a0 sent to staff on May 14 for layoffs or bumping.<\/p>\n The district\u2019s chief financial officer, Patrick Jensen, said that the reductions would impact around 500 positions in total.<\/p>\n \u201cI would say at this point, approximately 300 of those positions are vacancies and early retirements, and then approximately 200 of those positions are positions that have staff in them currently,\u201d Jensen said in an interview on Wednesday.<\/p>\n