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By Jonathan Goetz
March 10, 2017 (El Cajon) -- The Grossmont Union High School District Board voted yesterday to send pink slips to at least 35 teachers and eliminate another 10 vacancies within the 22,000-student district.
Governing Board member Jim Kelly asked if the District could begin special education earlier than ninth grade to prevent having to pay for private school for special education students transferring in from districts before 9th grade. He was told by a member of the audience “At Elite Academy we can take kids in seventh grade, we even have one sixth grader.”
Board member Chris Fite asked if golden handshakes (retirement incentives) could prevent the layoffs. Deputy Superintendent Scott Patterson responded that Public Agency Retirement Systems analyzed the demographics of their teachers and estimated a golden handshake would result in 38 retirements, all of which would require payment, versus 30 retirements without any additional incentive. The board opted not to offer incentives.
Elva Salinas summarized Board sentiment, stating, “I’m just hoping the budget looks better in May so we can make some adjustments that will help out our faculty and our staff.”
Vew the resolution listing specific types of teacher layoffs here.
The board documents can be found here: http://www.boarddocs.com/ca/guhsd/Board.nsf/files/AK7NQT60B038/$file/Certificated.PKS.Reso(2017-43).pdf
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