School Library Techs Saved

The last chapter has yet to be written for library techs in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District.

With some juggling and special permission from the state, the school district likely can save the library tech jobs that were on the chopping block earlier in the year, schools superintendent Dorma Baker announced at the Board of Trustees meeting Wednesday night.

District officials identified a "categorical funding" source that could be used to pay those salaries. Essentially the money would come from an earmarked account, not the general fund—which has been hit hard by declining tax revenues and state cuts—and that means officials aren't taking the cash from another needy program, according to Baker.

Confirmation that the funding is available should come in the next two weeks, according to Baker.

"The sooner the better, because people are hanging on by their fingernails," she said.

Preserving the positions amid drastic budget cuts and massive layoffs has been a priority for the school board.

"They're a huge, integral part of improvement in student achievement," Baker said.

But in other school district business Wednesday evening, board members grudgingly approved sending layoff notices to 124 staff members, including 23  instructors.

Baker said she's hopeful that retirements and people taking leaves may allow for rehiring, like what happened when about 170 layoff notices were issued.

Nearly two dozen of this year's cuts are to adult education teachers, but Adult Education Director Nancy Bilicich, also a city councilwoman, said the upside was that the school remains open. She was optimistic that many of the axed positions would come back as the classes are restructured.

"It doesn't mean they're out, because they're not closing the school," said Bilicich.

However, the costs of some classes could increase, and some programming will be eliminated because of the district's dire financial situation.

"There will be cuts," Bilicich said.