Monterey County Office of Education issues 185 notices of potential layoffs
MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION) Educators whose jobs depend on in-person instruction are facing uncertainty this school year. With no telling when schools will reopen, the Monterey County Office of Education (MCOE) decided to cut 185 positions.
"We feel this. We're not coldly saying 'sorry there's no more money' or 'we can't justify your position,'" said MCOE Assistant Superintendent for Special Education, Terri Dye.
Dye's staff work one-on-one with high-needs students in Monterey County's 24 school districts. Many are now at risk of layoffs, which could happen as soon as Friday.
"Overall, we have a lot of personnel related to the safety of students in the classroom. Since we don't have children in school right now, we can't justify charging the school districts for those services," said Dye.
Based on seniority and qualifications, some at-risk employees will have the opportunity to take over a new positions through a bumping/selection process. MCOE officials said once the selection process is complete, around 90 people will be out of work entirely.
"Employees who are not able to select a position will be placed on the 39-month reemployment list, and will be recalled for additional positions once the health and safety guidelines allow for in-person instruction with students," said Monterey County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Deneen Guss.
MCOE will continue to pay laid off employees for up to 60 days.
"Some of the people that are being laid of have been with us for a very long time. It's hard to go through this," said Dye.
