Modesto City Schools board approves plan to cut 46 classified positions
The Modesto City Schools Board of Education unanimously approved a plan Monday to reduce or eliminate classified and classified management positions for the upcoming school year.
The decision affects 39 classified employees and seven classified management positions, including campus supervisors, site coaches and school support managers.
Additionally, 35 positions within the early childhood education program are set for redesign, which would affect 15 individuals.
Vice President Homero Mejia was absent and did not vote.
“We do exhaust all efforts to maintain employment whenever possible,” said Mike Henderson, associate superintendent of human resources.
Henderson explained that the employees currently in those positions may not necessarily be the ones displaced, because a bumping rights process will take place. This process allows more senior employees to take over the roles of less tenured colleagues.
Before the vote, board members acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, emphasizing it was not made lightly.
Trustee John Irvin III recalled his own experience of being laid off from the district in 2012 but noted that Modesto City Schools now is providing significantly more support for affected employees. He said the district plans to refer those affected to the MCS Training Academy, where they can access training programs, job shadowing opportunities and other resources to help them find new positions within the district.
Employees also will have the option to be placed on a re-employment list.
“I wish this would have happened when I was laid off,” Irvin said.
Staff and students voiced their frustration during public comment.
Fawn Peterson, chapter president of the California School Employees Association, criticized the district’s handling of temporary COVID-19 funds, saying they were irresponsibly used for payroll. She urged the district to allocate future temporary funding more strategically to prevent job losses when the money runs out.
“We’ve had people that were hired by the district and felt like it was a safe place to be, gave up other positions not with Modesto City Schools, and now those people are going to be without a job,” Peterson said, fighting back tears.
She highlighted one employee facing a pay cut of $4 per hour, emphasizing how it would significantly impact his ability to support his family. Many district employees already work two jobs to make ends meet, she added.
Leslie Lawrence, a campus supervisor at Enochs High School, said her position is set to be eliminated.
“This is just sad,” she said. “You are taking away safety from the kids. Their number one concern is safety. You are taking away the school’s eyes and ears.”
Students spoke in support of Lawrence and told of the difference she has made at Enochs High School.
Enochs junior Cooper Wheeler said he’s been going through a difficult time as his grandfather is on his deathbed. “Leslie is there every single day for me to ask how I’m doing,” Wheeler said, bringing Lawrence to tears. “I’m so thankful for her and everything she’s done for me, and our school would not be the same without her.”
Another student raised concerns about drug use and frequent fights in the bathrooms at Enochs, warning that removing campus supervisors would only make the problem worse. Several teachers agreed, emphasizing that they rely on campus supervisors to help manage fights and other student issues.
Kerri Keener, a secretary at Davis High School, said many campus supervisors are also coaches for sports. “You’re not just going to lay off a campus supervisor, but a mentor and coaches, too,” Keener said.
Heidi Mendes, a teacher at Fremont Elementary, expressed concern over the loss of the school’s support manager, saying these employees play a crucial role in recognizing when students are struggling, whether due to homelessness, family separation or other challenges.
“This person is consistently there,” Mendes said.
This story was originally published March 11, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
