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Will LUSD cut 100 classified positions?

By Jennifer Bonnett
News-Sentinel Staff Writer
Monday, April 20, 2009 11:00 PM PDT

Comments (32 comment(s))

If the Lodi Unified School District board approves proposed cuts to the district's classified staff tonight, there could be fewer people to maintain the district's swimming pools or help students do research in the library.

Trustees have been working to reduce next year's budget because of declining state funding and enrollment. Pink slips went out to hundreds of teachers last month, but cuts to classified employees were delayed because, under state law, those workers must receive a 45-day notice.

Kim Woodruff, a head custodian at Podesta Ranch school, is concerned with the seven site custodian positions on the chopping block. Another eight jobs in the maintenance and operations department are also being recommended for elimination.

"Many people don't realize the affect that maintenance and operations has on our kids. We keep our schools — all 52 of them — safe, clean and healthy," she said in an e-mail to the News-Sentinel. "Who will fix the things that break, such as heaters, toilets, fences? The list could go on and on."

Further, Woodruff said, fingerprinting requirements could stymie the possibility of hiring outside help.

Up to another 107 classified positions are recommended for elimination, including 15 full-time library media assistants at the elementary level and four in the district's high schools.

Among others:

  • Twelve fulland part-time clerk-type positions at school sites and in the administrative office, plus six typist clerks from select program improvement schools.

  • Two personal computer technicians.

  • One community liaison.

  • Two pool maintenance workers.

  • Six administrative secretaries in the district's curriculum and instruction department.

  • The custodian and principal secretary at Turner Elementary, which will close at the end of the school year.

    The cuts were discussed at the last board meeting on April 7.

    In a separate resolution, trustees are also expected to reduce hours for a number of part-time staff, including typist clerks at more than half a dozen campuses. Sixty-four paraeducators could also be reduced by an hour a year to save money, according to the proposed board resolution.

    The layoffs would be effective June 30, and LUSD is not alone. On Wednesday, Galt Elementary School District, too, will weigh cuts to its classified staff to close a budget gap. Tonight's meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the McNair High School theater, 9550 Ronald E. McNair Way, Stockton.

    Contact reporter Jennifer Bonnett at jenniferb@lodinews.com.

    Reader Feedback

    blossom wrote on Apr 28, 2009 6:28 PM:

    " I agree with you EDU: We definately need less Custodians and Teachers LMAO!
    In fact lets just hire a firm to figure out how if this Swine flue turns into a Pandemic, How with all the cuts to classified we are going to be able to maintain a safe level of sanitation???
    I know they can pay us OVERTIME!!! Then they can give the firm a raise!!! LOL "

    Report Abuse

    Lodian wrote on Apr 28, 2009 4:42 PM:

    " Beeeep... Jerry isn't here right now. Please leave a message. He will get back to you as soon as he gets his head out... "

    Report Abuse

    edumacation wrote on Apr 27, 2009 1:50 PM:

    " Jerry- Can you answer this question? What is a hospital without doctors and nurses? It's no longer a hospital since it only has hospital administrators that patients can't do without. What is a school without teachers? Its no longer a school, but a private club of managers promoting each other. Look at the pay schedules. There are a lot of people in that building with bleeding lips---from being sycophants. "

    Report Abuse

    edumacation wrote on Apr 27, 2009 1:44 PM:

    " Its obvious that the solution is to fire more custodians and teachers! We need to hire more Assistant Superintendents, and assistants to the assistants. What do teachers know about teaching? What do custodians know about housekeeping? We really need to hire a few dozen more curriculum specialists, outreach workers and educational materials managers. In some school districts, teachers must do custodial work. I think thats a noble calling. Add housekeeping duties to teachers. Besides since they are not hourly we can put it in the LEA contract with a few more pages in the job description. But we can't do that unless we hire another dozen or so personnel specialists. "

    Report Abuse

    Lodian wrote on Apr 26, 2009 12:59 PM:

    " Jerry insists on blaming the victims in this Larson fire. This is not unusual for a person like him. It is appalling that these fine people, that worked so well together to make damn sure our children were safe, are being attacked by some low life that has nothing to do with the school and was not there at all. Shame on you, Jerry. Shaaaaame. "

    Report Abuse

    Lodian wrote on Apr 26, 2009 12:59 PM:

    " Jerry: Crawl back under your rock now. No one respects your opinions. You just took care of that with your attack on Larson School. You had me leaning in with an ear, on past blogs, when talking about district stuff, but not anymore. I no longer believe you after this attack on innocent victims of a fire started at their school. You should actually be telling everyone you know that they should move into the Larson district so as to be able to have their children attend this great school. Larson ROCKS!

    Thank you to the principal, teachers and children that did everything right the day of the fire. Thank you for the perfect response in making sure the children were all safe and sound, and even calm and playing outside waiting for their moms, dads and grandparents that day. What superb organization! THANK YOU! "

    Report Abuse

    Jerry wrote on Apr 26, 2009 7:44 AM:

    " I still smell smoke. Ya' better check out the Larson fire blog before LNS pulls it completely. This looks like a cover-up and a raft of S&*^ ....

    It appears the principal may have told the kids to stay in their seats after the fire alarm went off. I have confirmed through a very good friend who teaches at Larson that the principal did not evacuate the school upon hearing the fire alarm....wow..

    Can someone tell me if that's true? "

    Report Abuse

    blossom wrote on Apr 23, 2009 7:38 AM:

    " Thanx, Brm and sparky.
    Please call the people I mentioned, They are not good ol boys~ They do take care of business!
    I am sorry that your students have to attend dirty schools but, their are laws that protect your kids please write the ab2260 law down and use that term that this is against that law!
    Try mand o and Mr. Hand both he and Mr. Slater ( Mitch) work closely together. Please keep me posted on the outcpme . Good luck and thanks for the support.
    My point was is that they could lay off one of the "bigwigs and keep 4 custodians! Or any classified employees.
    They need to still cut at the top to save al of us that work with the kids out in the trenches!
    Just look at the other story about the fire at larson. The Head Custodian and the Teacher saved the day and stopped the school from burning down. NEWSFLASH~ We at the sites work together everyday to keep the kids safe... even if it is a dog loose on the campus their are all kinds of trouble on campuses!! "

    Report Abuse

    brmamamili wrote on Apr 22, 2009 10:17 PM:

    " Blossom: Thanks for the tips....I will give Mitch a try. Not worth it to divulge the school or for you to say where you work. It will all work out. Thanks! "

    Report Abuse

    blossom wrote on Apr 22, 2009 10:07 PM:

    " I am not sure if you ca say what school you are talking about but, I guarantee you the squeeky wheel gets the grease.
    you can call Maintenance and Operations and Talk to Mitch , he is the director, Thencall Mr. Hand.
    I am sure I know who your Head Custodian is if you could tell me the school? I am not sure if you want to divulge that info or not.
    If I tell you where I work it would be a dead give away for me which Frankly I could care less.
    I have worked at several schools in LUSD over the last 15 plus years, So I guess you would call me an oldtimer~ "

    Report Abuse

    brmamamili wrote on Apr 22, 2009 8:12 PM:

    " Blossom: Your salary is NOT enough! You should be making more! It is a damn shame that you work that hard - Catherine Pennington, Odie Douglas, Art Hand, Kathy Nichols-Washer ALL make well over 100,000k per year. So do a lot of the Principals! That is just so outrageous to me. I say pay them LESS and let them earn their keep like you do. There is no reason they need to make that much money....their work days are not that long, after all. Anyway, good luck to you..... "

    Report Abuse

    sparky wrote on Apr 22, 2009 7:57 PM:

    " Blossom sounds like a hardworker.The last school my child attended even had the SJ County Health Department called in due to a lazy custodian. As for calling ART HAND, what's the point?
    One covers up for the other over on East Vine Street! "

    Report Abuse

    blossom wrote on Apr 22, 2009 6:23 PM:

    " Principals make the if bucks, Custodians do not.
    The money I make is OK but, Nothing like the bigwigs.
    Trust me I am not there for the money. I have worked for LUSD for years and years.
    When I started we made good oney and had good benefits now our benefits are terrible and wexpensive I make about 37,000.00 a year that is NOT much. I pay 850.00 a month for an hmo medical and our dental and ptical is included in that. Starting July 1 I will be paying 250.00 more.
    I am there Mon thru Fri 8 hours a day 12 months a year for that money. I get 1 30 minuite lunch and 2, 15 min breaks
    They have become very strict about the breaks with classified.
    That is why I dont understand Teachers complaining they get prep periods?? If they worked on their preps (and some do) they wouldnt have to take work home but, They go grocery shopping or take a long lunch.... Where is the fairness?? Their is NONE! They make double or tripple the money I make "

    Report Abuse

    blossom wrote on Apr 22, 2009 6:14 PM:

    " brm, Thank you I appreciate your coment. I am very passionate aout whAT i DO AND i LOVE MY JOB!oops cap lock sorry.
    The next step for you is to call the district office and speak to Mr. Hand he oersees ALL of the Custodial/ Maintenance issues. Itis a law thet you must have Toilet paper, Soap and papertowels, as well as functional, clean restrooms.The law is the ab2260 law (use that term) let him know that oyu have complained to the principal and nothing was done. All will trickle down and your problem should be resolved.
    I am not saying that ALL Custodians are perfect because they arent,neither am I I have my off days just like everyone else.... From the top down in LUSD noone is perfect, but at least anvery effort should be made the High schools are the hardst because the kids Tear things up faster that any person can keep up! So are the middle schools~
    Good Luck and Thanks for your support. "

    Report Abuse

    brmamamili wrote on Apr 22, 2009 12:52 PM:

    " Blossom: I am sure your school is clean and you do the best you can. Yes, it's true you can't be security, and yes, I DID COMPLAIN to the Principal. Guess what?? She did NOTHING. The "custodian" is a friend of hers. I think that maybe the Principal AND the custodian I am talking about are just there for the paycheck and benefits. WHO is looking out for the kids? Where is the love for the kids? That is my problem with many teachers, principals, school staff, etc. In the OLD days they worked there for the love of the kids....nowadays it's for the benefits, perks and short work day. Hey, I applaud YOUR efforts....sounds like you are there for the kids. "

    Report Abuse

    blossom wrote on Apr 21, 2009 10:03 PM:

    " Whoe Nellie!
    She said our benefits are going up 271.00 a month more.
    Which means I pay 850.00 now. For my Husband and myself it woll now be 1150.00 per month.
    25$ co`pays for Dr.
    250.00 for the ER
    Still wana trade?? I'll trade you! "

    Report Abuse

    blossom wrote on Apr 21, 2009 9:39 PM:

    " The Head Custodians: Primarily the 'day time" Custodians should be calling these items in for repair.
    Aloy of times (especially at high schools) Toilets , papertowel dispensers get plugged by the students or broken on a daily basis.
    This would fall under security, NOT watching the students.
    Also, Administration at the larger schools it is hard to keep track and many people think we have a crystal ball
    guess what we don't. I for one have the cleanest as well as the safest school in Lodi Unified.I stay on top of my school and that is what it takes. If your childrens school is not safe and anitary then you need to let the Principal know! "

    Report Abuse

    blossom wrote on Apr 21, 2009 9:32 PM:

    " Well, then your kids are going to the wrong school... Why don't you complain to the Principal?
    That should stop that problem. We are not Janitor's we are Custodians. "

    Report Abuse

    brmamamili wrote on Apr 21, 2009 8:32 PM:

    " Wow....at my child's school (considered to be the best in the district)there was a hotdog that lay under the piano in the cafeteria for over a year, the toilets leaked, there was no toilet paper provided and the janitor often told the parents "that's not my job". Huh! Who's job was it? "

    Report Abuse

    sparky wrote on Apr 21, 2009 8:04 PM:

    " I don't recall my child's elementary school in Lodi as being safe, clean or healthy. Maybe if the janitor did more physical work instead of hanging out in the office or taking breaks their job may not be in jeapordy. Do janitors actually fix heaters, toilets and fences? I don't think so! "

    Report Abuse

    Rhodie wrote on Apr 21, 2009 7:59 PM:

    " "Nothing can substitute for a well-trained librarian to lead children and parents to proper, authoritative information."

    Can't trust the text books either. The History Alive book my 7th grader is using says the Jihad is just a spiritual journey. It was recently highlighted as one of the history textbooks that was more politically correct than correct.

    http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,504944,00.html "

    Report Abuse

    Whoa Nellie! wrote on Apr 21, 2009 7:28 PM:

    " TokayMom-- welcome to reality. it's your ENTITLEMENT ATTITUDE that gives LUSD employees of all rank a bad name.

    I'll trade you that $221 for my nearly $500 per month for our medical & dental.

    You've had it soooo good for soooo long that when times are tuff all you can do is whine. I just hope you're not educating my children, passing on your "it's not fair" attitude. NEWS FLASH- life is not fair. "

    Report Abuse

    joblessinJuly wrote on Apr 21, 2009 4:39 PM:

    " I'd take a furlough to keep my job...I can't afford benefits for my husband as is, I support a family of 5 on one income, and I'll be losing my job at the end of June. We can't afford to be selfish in these uncertain times. "

    Report Abuse

    libraryguy wrote on Apr 21, 2009 1:45 PM:

    " Not every student has access to the Internet. In addition, the Internet is notorious for misinformation. Nothing can substitute for a well-trained librarian to lead children and parents to proper, authoritative information. "

    Report Abuse

    weezer wrote on Apr 21, 2009 10:56 AM:

    " WCPatty, I'm not sure if kids prefer going to the library than looking up information in the internet. "

    Report Abuse

    blossom wrote on Apr 21, 2009 9:27 AM:

    " benefits... typo "

    Report Abuse

    blossom wrote on Apr 21, 2009 9:26 AM:

    " to tokaymom:
    BIG NEWS FLASH, ALL of our benifits are going up! "

    Report Abuse

    blossom wrote on Apr 21, 2009 9:24 AM:

    " If you do noy have Classified Employees.Nothing happens. Lunch dosent happen, assemblies don't happen. No one can show up in their suits and look good if you don't have enough Custodians!
    We are just as IMPORTANT to the Students as the Teachers are! The Teachers need us too! "

    Report Abuse

    WCPatty wrote on Apr 21, 2009 8:28 AM:

    " I know a couple of the library positions are NOT in full time jobs and there is only ONE librarian at those schools. When the school library is the only access to books for a lot of kids in this district, it would be insane to cut those jobs and pretend you care about educating children. "

    Report Abuse

    tokaymom wrote on Apr 21, 2009 7:42 AM:

    " They just need to go and layoff the people. Because we are not going to take a paycut or furloughs, when our health benefits are going up 64%. I am going from paying $40 a month to $221 for my benefits. "

    Report Abuse

    RUFKM wrote on Apr 21, 2009 7:02 AM:

    " jbhiker- that is the funniest blog I have seen on ANY website in a long time! "

    Report Abuse

    jbhiker wrote on Apr 21, 2009 6:25 AM:

    " Why can't you lay off more teachers and save these important jobs? "

    Report Abuse

    Comments on this story are now closed.

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