FUHSD lays off teacher; not rehiring temporary positions

The Fallbrook Union High School District (FUHSD) board of trustees approved a restructure and expenditure reduction, resulting in a decision to not rehire temporary certified employees and layoff a foreign language teacher.

On Feb. 23, the board approved restructuring and expenditure reductions associated with core funding totaling $732,440. Of this amount, $390,000 in reductions is associated with certificated layoffs due to declining enrollment and the related decline in revenue.

In order for certificated layoffs to become effective, the board of trustees needed to adopt a second resolution, which provides final notice to the affected employee.

“When we submitted the number [of full time employees] that needed to be reduced, we considered the number of temporary teachers that we release at the end of the year,” said FUHSD superintendent Dr. Hugo Pedroza. “These employees are hired on a temporary status, and all temporary teachers are released at the end of the school year as a matter of course. We do our best to minimize the impact on our teachers.”

Pedroza stated that four teachers were hired under a temporary status, and those teachers are encouraged to apply to permanent positions if qualified.

Since the board action, the district has rescinded one certificated layoff in the subject of science, as a result of a teacher retiring.

“When we put this proposal together, we were only going to let go of two teachers – one in science and one in French,” said Pedroza. “In terms of science, there were not enough sections of science to keep another employee, but a teacher chose to retire, and we were able to keep the teacher that would have been laid off. In terms of French, the demand for French is really low, and we cannot sustain the courses. If we have five students for one class, we cannot open the course. We can use that resource in a teacher in another area.”

Pedroza explained that students who have already begun courses in French will be able to continue with their education, as a more senior teacher who is able to teach Spanish and French will take over the French courses needed by students.

Pedroza also mentioned that French I will no longer be offered, as of the 2015-2016 academic school year. Pedroza also said in addition to a declining enrollment within the district, it is important for the schools to have as many programs that are vibrant and appealing to students and parents.

“The district is currently in need of an ASL teacher, a math teacher, and an English or drama teacher,” said Pedroza. “We will make sure we have our master schedule for all classes. We will talk to incoming 9th graders to see what we have in needs and demands, and then plan our master schedule accordingly.”

Once district administrators are able to look at the master schedule, the FUHSD administration combines the students’ demands with the usefulness of classes that will allow students to be successful in high school and beyond.

“We want to line up the students’ wants and needs with what’s needed in order to be 21st Century ready,” said Pedroza. “It’s not just about someone getting together in a room and come up with courses to offer. There are core classes that are required for graduation, but in terms of other opportunities, we want to be as broad as possible and bring as many courses that will really stick.”