Precautionary layoff notices creating fear among CVUSD staff

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) -- Layoff confusion related to Coachella Valley Unified School District's multi-million dollar budget deficit continues.

For months, CVUSD and Superintendent Dr. Frances Esparza have worked to find solutions to the $44 million deficit, including laying off a number of employees.

So far, the school board has approved 48 teaching and 252 classified positions to be laid off, or 300 positions in total. The exact employees apart of those cuts are still unknown.

However, the Coachella Valley Teachers Association says additional reduction in force or RIF notices were sent out to even more employees.

Superintendent Dr. Esparza confirmed to News Channel 3 that by law, the district is required to notify any employees who may be moved or have their position bumped due to seniority.

Esparza told News Channel 3, "By law we cannot move any employee without providing them a March 15 notice. So, we needed to provide several notices to ensure that we have the opportunities for staff to move into their positions based on seniority."

Dr. Esparza has reiterated layoffs won't exceed the board's approved 300 employee amount.

Carissa Carrera and several parents at a Thursday night board meeting said they worry this uncertainty is impacting staff and students.

"The cost of living being so high, everything being so uncertain right now. And then to over 'RIF' by so much it just it really, truly affects people's ability, you know, just to go through their daily motions, not knowing will I have a job?" Carrera said.

Carrera also voiced concerns that staff who's received a notice may seek out other jobs before layoff negotiations are complete.

"From what I understand, Desert Sands and Palm Springs are not laying teachers off or classified staff. And so, of course, you know, our people will get picked up by those two districts because I believe they're both hiring, while we're getting rid of people."