CVUSD unanimously votes to cut over 80 employees

The Coachella Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees unanimously voted to lay off 81 employees.

The board cited declining attendance, an increase in pension cost, and the end of LCFF growth funding as the reasons for the cuts. CVUSD wrote in a letter to parents that the district needed to cut $8 million in the 2019-2020 budget year.

“Unfortunately, that is the situation we are in for different reasons, one of them being declining enrollment. the other one being the rising cost of pension and benefits,” said Silvia Paz, vice president of CVUSD Board of Trustees.

The board was 7-0 in favor of all motions, except for the layoff of classified management. That resolution still passed with a 6-1 vote.

A total of 40 teaching and administrative employees and 30 classified management will be let go. They will receive their 60-notice on March 15.