CVUSD finalizes 42 teacher layoffs

Coachella Valley Unified School District’s board of education has finalized layoff notices for 42 teaching positions, with the cuts set to take effect in the 2025-26 school year as the district works to eliminate a $60 million deficit over the next three school years.

The decision, approved at a special board meeting on Thursday, followed a reduction in force hearing in April, with Judge Kimberly Belvedere issuing her decision to the district’s human resources department on May 5.

The proposed certificated staff cuts also include reducing or eliminating 12 positions held by credentialed educators in management roles, such as program coordinators, department directors and assistant principals.

Roughly 262 classified positions are also poised to be eliminated or reduced, ranging from administrative assistants and bus drivers to paraeducators. However, 21 of the positions are unfilled and the district plans to reclassify three director roles — in career technical education, Title IX and expanded learning — as coordinator positions, resulting in lower salaries.

CVUSD’s budget crisis largely stems from its failure to fully eliminate temporary positions funded by one-time COVID relief dollars, creating a $37 million revenue shortfall. An additional $15 million loss came when state funding for cost-of-living adjustments fell short of projections. While the district reported a 17% reserve at the close of the 2022-23 fiscal year, a county audit later revealed a structural deficit dating back to 2019 — all amid broader challenges like declining enrollment and chronic absenteeism.

Ahead of the board’s final vote, three educators shared their stories during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Margaret Quigley, a teacher at Saul Martinez Elementary School in Mecca, said she exercised her bumping rights and, as a result, will be reassigned to teach middle school next year after having spent 10 years “pouring everything I have into our youngest learners.” (Employees with seniority have what are known as “bumping rights,” the ability to avoid being laid off by replacing a less senior employee.)

“If we truly want to retain passionate, highly effective educators — the kind who stay, grow and lead — we must treat them as people worth keeping. Because when we don’t, they leave — and all that training, talent and heart leaves with them,” Quigley said. “Please, don’t let that be the legacy of this moment.”

Jose Galvez Acuña, a behavioral support paraeducator at one of CVUSD’s wellness centers, spoke about the termination of his position and those of seven colleagues, questioning why district-hired employees doing the same work as contractors aren’t afforded the same job security and protections.

“This is not a criticism of those contracted employees. In fact, many of them have been here longer than I have. They’ve shown incredible dedication to our students and campuses. They are valued colleagues and their work absolutely matters. We are stronger because of them,” he said. “What I’m asking is not about their commitment but the structure of the decision.”

Damon Juarez, a social studies teacher at Coachella Valley High School, thanked the board for the opportunity to teach at the school. He acknowledged that the board faces difficult decisions but expressed hope that future budget cuts will not persist.

“A lot of times you know what you’re teaching, you want to make sure that they understand the curriculum, you want to make sure that they’re diligent in doing their homework and being responsible,” Juarez said. “But it goes both ways. Man, I learned from them, and it’s truly been an honor to serve.”

Final layoff notices to teachers are required to go out before May 15.

Jennifer Cortez covers education in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at jennifer.cortez@desertsun.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Coachella Valley Unified finalizes 42 teacher layoffs amid budget woes