Redlands Unified School Board Votes on New Layoffs

Redlands Unified School District Approves Layoffs Amid Budget Pressures

In a recent decision, the Redlands Unified School District school board approved 19 layoffs, impacting various essential positions including librarians, special education staff, and nurses. This action follows the approval of 135 layoff notices earlier this year, marking a significant restructuring effort amid ongoing financial challenges.

School officials attributed these layoffs to mounting financial pressures and shifting enrollment trends. "These decisions are never easy, but they are necessary as we work to address our budget issues," the board stated.

Among those affected is Donna Elliot, a school nurse with over a decade of experience in the district, most recently at Cope Middle School. Elliot emphasized the critical nature of her role, noting, "Dealing with diabetics and treating them prior to their lunch break, there are a lot of things that happen on a day-to-day basis that having somebody, me — being an actual nurse and on site — is a benefit." As layoffs continue, more nurses and special education staff find themselves on the chopping block.

The district has been assessing various factors, including staffing structures and program needs, in light of financial sustainability. Despite earlier assertions that the district held $74 million in reserve, officials now report a structural deficit. Stephen Caperton, president of the Redlands Teacher Association, remarked, "The district has been running a structural deficit, but they have known about it for years. They’ve had opportunities to implement early retirement programs in the past, yet they continued hiring."

Superintendent Juan Cabral was unavailable for comment but provided a statement addressing the situation: “These decisions were made after careful consideration of the District’s long-term financial responsibilities and operational needs. While difficult, our goal is to ensure we remain fiscally stable while continuing to support students and maintain essential educational services across the district.”

For employees like Elliot, receiving a layoff notice just weeks before the school year concludes is particularly challenging. "I’m thankfully a nurse, but it puts me out there. I’m 58 years old and starting over," she said. "That’s not going to be an easy task."

Currently, the teachers union represents approximately 1,200 workers in the district, which serves about 18,000 students.