A resolution to cut 2025-2026 positions at Orinda Intermediate School (OIS) was introduced at the Orinda Union School District (OUSD) board meeting on Feb. 10. The final vote will be held at the March 10 regular board meeting.
Enrollment at OIS has gradually dropped since the 2020-2021 school year, when it reached 874 students. This year, enrollment is at 826, and is projected to rise slightly next year, to 831.
A drop in enrollment below certain staffing ratios is one of several specifically authorized reasons under the California Education Code for a reduction in positions, provided that those cuts don’t exceed the corresponding percentage of the decline in enrollment.
“Like many districts, OUSD is navigating ongoing state budget challenges,” said OUSD Superintendent Aida Glimme. “Our priority remains providing strong programs for students while being fiscally responsible. Staffing adjustments at OIS and proposed position reductions reflect necessary realignments based on middle school enrollment.”
The resolution calls for “particular kinds of service” cuts, which involve specific subjects. Art, physical education, science and French would be targeted. The total proposed cuts add up to 2.67 full-time equivalent (FTE) certificated employees.
It’s somewhat complicated on who and what will be affected. According to Glimme, there won’t be any reductions in programming or course offerings.
“We are not eliminating electives or doing major reductions as are some other districts,” Glimme said. “Our students will still be able to sign up for the same courses and have same electives and programming options.”
It helps that OIS already has small class sizes in these areas, according to Glimme.
“Since enrollment drives staffing, when that enrollment declines, we have to adjust our staffing,” Glimme said. “But our classes have the capacity to absorb more students and still be at a desirable ratio. The effect of the reductions will hit our staff, not our students.”
Although the reductions are being applied to OIS positions, Glimme said that due to seniority laws, the staff that may be affected could work somewhere else in the district.
“We are examining all credentials and ‘bumping/seniority’ rights to determine who will be affected,” she said.
State law requires that once a district cuts the number of certificated employees, they may not reemploy them or hire an equivalent number of certificated staff for the rest of the school year.
The full text of the resolution can be found here: bit.ly/4aYHwsQ.
The fact of the matter is, the students WILL be affected. A beloved art teacher was cut. The District needs to understand that for some students, the arts provide a sanctuary that they don’t always find in other subjects. The art program will not be the same. Mr. Ferguson was my son’s absolute favorite teacher and I truly believe that the school and District has made a huge mistake. Just watch the Board Meeting from last night (3/10) if you do not believe my remarks.