On Jan. 30, 2025, Superintendent, Dr. Antonio Castro sent out a message to staff, teachers and Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) families with disheartening news. As a result of drained one-time federal and state funds, learning loss, current and ongoing enrollment decline and maintenance of competitive salaries for staff, VUSD is facing major budget cuts. As a result of this change, staff reductions and budget spending will be negotiated from this point forward. 

The VUSD Board of Education met for a Board meeting on Feb. 4, 2025, at 6 p.m. with the first item on the agenda regarding Resolution #25-02, concerning reductions or discontinuation of classified services. This resolution assists with the district’s budget cuts, but in this process, lots of positions in VUSD’s various departments and schools would be reduced or discontinued. This means that a multitude of staff and faculty members are at risk of losing their jobs. 

Before the Board began deliberating agenda items, the members covered questions, comments and clarifications before allowing public comment, where many of the members expressed the difficulty in their decision. 

Superintendent Castro explained the unfortunate situation VUSD has been placed in, saying, “One of the things that the district has benefited from since COVID are COVID era dollars from the federal and state level … what we’ve been able to do, is to extend … positions for which the district is no longer funded, because as we know the district has gone through an extensive … declining enrollment.”

“I just want people to understand that we are not taking this lightly …  Every Board member is doing their due diligence to make sure that we’re making the right decision,” Board President Calvin Peterson said. 

Sabrena Rodriguez, a Board trustee, also stated, “And I don’t want you to think this isn’t awful … we recognize that you have been incredibly dedicated, hardworking, committed people to this community’s children and yet we are in the awful place of having to make reductions … our executive team cares deeply about you,” speaking directly to the audience of concerned faculty that attended the meeting. 

Some of the positions at risk of reduction include: paraeducator I’s, custodians, grounds maintenance workers I and II, health technicians, technology specialists and more occupations. Many of these workers spoke in the public comment section of the meeting, conveying their concerns and perspectives, hoping to make an impact on the board’s decision. 

The meeting was filled to the brim, filling the overflow room with attendees. VUSD faculty came together in support of each other and to discuss the many concerns, comments and perspectives before the Board took a vote. 

Staff members, such as Network and Systems Specialist, Josue Reyes, questioned what the district would do with the cut of certain positions, with his service due for complete discontinuation. He stated, “Under the current proposal, both positions are to be eliminated. Without us, who will manage the network, replace equipment and internet security for the entire district? Who will keep your personal data from daily cyber attacks?” 

“We risk overlooking students in need and ultimately weakening the foundation of our educational system … and so I urge you to consider alternatives to these layoffs … do not make decisions that will harm our students,” another public commenter said as an educator and union leader. 

Apart from concern, many expressed their sadness with the district’s decision to terminate or reduce their positions, communicating their dedication to VUSD and its students. “We work together to accomplish a goal … that is to be the best for our students so they can get the best education in a safe environment,” Robert Ybarra, a district paraeducator stated. Oscar Gomez, a trade maintenance worker, added, “We strive to make a change at our schools. Even if it’s just to fix a leaky faucet or change out a dirty air filter.”

By the end of the meeting, the Board had considered, passed and adopted the resolution by the conclusion of the 2024-2025 school year after hearing public comment, asking clarifying questions and deliberating. More reductions are yet to come, leaving staff, faculty, parents and students of VUSD in uncertainty.