At its Feb.13 meeting, the Hemet Unified School District (HUSD) Board of
Trustees approved two resolutions to reduce staffing levels in the next
school year although enrollment is expected to increase slightly.

The proposals would have affected 37 classified positions. Eventually,
42 district employees were given notice of potential action. Many of the
positions were initially funded with one-time monies and employees were
made aware of this fact when they were hired, according to Sonia
Ramirez, HUSD chief communications officer.

The recommendation was the result of changes in estimate of future
budget balances. HUSD is anticipating fewer funds available from the
state as well as the end of special COVID funding. The total expected
revenue decrease is about $46 million, according to the March 5, 2^(nd)
Interim Budget Report. The resulting balance is a $29.1 million deficit
and another $24.9 million deficit was forecast for the following fiscal
year 2025-26.

However, the actual reductions may be obviated before the budget is
approved, Ramirez wrote in an email to the Town Crier.

“Our intention is to either rescind the notices or find suitable
alternative positions as opportunities arise,” Ramirez said. “Due to
attrition, we have already identified successful placements for many of
these individuals. In fact, please note that 64% of the people
identified for official layoff have already retained another position
for which they are qualified.”

Those employees who do not find an alternative position will retain
re-employment rights, which would allow them to be considered for future
vacancies.

As early as Jan 16, Deputy Superintendent for Business Services Darrin
Watters alerted the board to the evolving deficits. In his presentation
two months ago, he estimated that the current year would end with a
$22.2 million deficit and the fiscal year 2024-25, which begins July 1,
would have a $11.9 million deficit.

HUSD has built reserves to help offset these deficits; nevertheless, the
short-term projections were not optimistic about the growth of
expenditures and the declining revenues. Over two fiscal years, nearly a
third of the reservices could be used to offset the lower revenues.

At the Feb. 13 board meeting, two resolutions were adopted to reduce
classified staffing levels. Classified positions are non-teachers such
as aides, food-service workers and custodians.

The first (3045) specified five schools (Bautista Creek, Cawston and
Ramona Elementary schools, Cottonwood School and Rancho Viejo Middle
School) as well as the Expanded Learning Opportunity Program. None of
these were teachers, and most were aides.

The second resolution (3046) simply approved a reduction in staffing
totaling 37 positions. While some were office staff, it targets 16
mental health professionals, behavioral intervention assistants and
others.

Projected savings was expected to be about $2.3 million.

HUSD is not the only Riverside County school district taking these
precautionary budget steps. Among the others are Alvord, Moreno Valley,
Redlands, Riverside and Temecula Valley school districts.