At the WCCUSD board meeting on March 9th district staff presented a recommendation for layoff letters (RIFs) to about 10% of the district’s employees.  Following the staff presentation calling for layoffs, FCMAT’s CEO Michael Fine spoke.The School Board hadn’t even been informed FCMAT was coming— they were invited by the quite new budgetary officer after consultation with the Superintendent and County Superintendent. 

After Fine’s initial presentation (at least 5 minutes) there was rather intense debate amongst the Board members about whether to continue to the 2nd round of public comment—which is what they had scheduled prior to his surprise appearance—or instead allow the Board to question him.  One of the two Board members who ultimately voted to issue the RIFs argued that the Board should be able to ask questions because ‘he is widely respected as the person most knowledgeable in the entire state about school finances’.  The Board decided (4-1) to give him more time. 

He laid out the script directly: either accept the cuts or the County Supt. will first declare “Lack of Going Concern” and appoint an “advisor” to review your budget and suggest changes; then an overseer with the right to veto your financial decisions; and then, if you persist, the State will take over directly and give you a loan. “You don’t want that. Loans from the state are a disaster.”  

After the FCMAT presentation there were more than 50 speakers, all opposing the layoffs.  Astonishingly—believe me, everyone was astonished—the Board voted 3-2 not to issue the RIFs. Announcement to the unions of the proposed RIFs had come only two days before and never to the general public. The expectation was the Board would approve 3-2. Apparently pressure from the unions telling the Board President that they would revoke their endorsement of him carried the day. 

Avoiding the layoffs was an important temporary victory. Now FCMAT will go to war through the County. UTR’s President in her Constant Contact put the victory well but did not inform the membership of what’s coming next.

    A concerned WCCUSD teacher

Update: One week after the meeting the County Superintendent issued a “lack of going concern” letter to WCCUSD— which will mean FCMAT ‘recommendations’.