GALT, CA (MPG) - The Galt Joint Union Elementary School District board met Feb. 18 to review staffing changes, including reductions in classified positions, and receive updates on student achievement and district finances.

In a closed session, trustees voted 5-0 to release up to nine intern teachers and one probationary certificated employee, effective no later than the end of the 2025-26 school year on June 30.

The meeting opened with a presentation from student leaders at Greer Elementary School. Principal Adam McLearan introduced three students who shared a student-produced video highlighting campus culture, leadership opportunities and the Mustang Market, a school store that rewards students for positive behavior.

During public comment, Maria Bernal, who works in a special day class for students with intensive needs, urged the board to consider the impact of staffing reductions in special education.

“We deserve transparency, we deserve fairness and our students deserve safe, fully staffed classrooms,” she said, noting that cuts to classified staff increase workloads and raise safety concerns in classrooms serving students with higher academic, behavioral and medical needs.

One written comment came from Becca Toscano, a Bright Future Learning Center (BFLC) technician at Lake Canyon for the past 13 years.

Toscano expressed concern that proposed workday reductions for staff would affect families’ access to before- and after-school programs, team preparation time and employee income.

“As a longtime employee of the district, I understand that difficult decisions must be made to cut costs and ensure appropriate levels of staffing,” she wrote. “However, these cuts impact not only employee pay and well-being, but all other staff and student success.”

Administrators then presented winter assessment data from the district’s Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) and i-Ready diagnostics. Several grade levels across elementary and middle schools met or nearly met the district’s 5% growth targets in reading, and multiple grade levels showed math gains during the first year of a new curriculum.

Principals from River Oaks, Greer, Lake Canyon, Marengo Ranch, Valley Oaks elementary schools and McCaffrey Middle School highlighted site-specific growth and outlined action steps, including targeted support for students near proficiency benchmarks, academic conferences and continued professional development tied to the new math program.

Superintendent Lois Yount noted that the district continues to rank near the top in Sacramento County, performing well in academics and English learner progress while maintaining low chronic absenteeism and suspension rates.

Chief Business Officer Alejandra Garibay reviewed Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed state budget with trustees, noting that while it projects a balanced budget for 2026-27, deficits are expected in future years.

Garibay said the district’s projected reserves would decline slightly over the next two years but remain above the state-required minimum. She also reported that the district received an unmodified opinion (the highest rating possible) in its annual independent audit, with no findings or material weaknesses.

Before acting on items regarding personnel changes, Yount recognized staff dedication and acknowledged the difficulty of necessary reductions.

“I recognize and I appreciate the hard work and dedication of our staff,” Yount said.

“I know reductions are difficult, but sometimes they are necessary due to student enrollment, lack of work or lack of funding,” she said, explaining that some of the potential reductions resulted from the district completing parity of salary and workdays.

Yount also noted that while compensation for the current school year has not been settled, the district anticipates salary increases for all staff members.

Trustees approved reducing one middle school Spanish teaching position from full-time to 0.6 full-time equivalent due to enrollment and course offerings. Reductions in workdays and hours were approved for several classified positions, including a bilingual office assistant, seven health assistants, a licensed vocational nurse, four Bright Future Learning Center library technicians, an early childhood home visitor and two general education instructional assistants.

Based on projected enrollment and program needs for 2026-27, the district also recommended eliminating two special education instructional assistant positions (one currently vacant), five general education instructional assistant positions (one vacant) and one school social worker position (currently vacant).

Trustee Katherine Harper asked if any positions could be reinstated if enrollment changes in the future. Yount confirmed that is possible, especially for special education aides as well as Bright Future Learning Center positions.

The board also received updates from the Cities and Schools Together (CAST) committee, including plans for active shooter training at Liberty Ranch High School during spring break and continued collaboration with the Galt Police Department on campus safety and traffic concerns.

The next regular board meeting for the Galt Joint Union Elementary School District is scheduled at 7 p.m. March 18 at Galt City Hall, 380 Civic Drive.