East Side Union High School District Board to Vote on Layoffs Impacting Student Mental Health and Safety Staff
The East Side Union High School District’s Board of Education is set to vote Thursday night on a proposal to lay off dozens of staff members dedicated to protecting students’ mental health, wellbeing, and safety. According to the district’s teachers union, the proposed layoffs would save about $6.5 million but result in cutting approximately 85 full-time positions. These include eight counselors, seven social workers, five campus safety advisors, as well as several wellness center clerks, parent outreach coordinators, and special education teachers.
The vote comes as the district faces insolvency, confronting a $9 million budget deficit for the 2026-27 school year. However, educators warn that the proposed cuts could severely harm the district’s most vulnerable students who rely on these crucial staff and services.
Supporting Vulnerable Students Amid Budget Cuts
Jack Hamner, president of the East Side Teachers Association, highlighted the district’s demographics, noting that 70% of students are English language learners, homeless, foster youth, or from low-income families. “Those are some severely needy kids. They need their support systems more than ever,” Hamner said. “The positions they’re cutting, these are the mental health and wellness services that our kids desperately need.”
Real-Life Impact on Campus Safety and Student Wellbeing
Roberta Cabigas, an advisor at James Lick High School with 28 years of experience in the district, emphasized the critical role she and others play in ensuring student safety. “We are responsible for everyone’s well-being,” Cabigas said. “We’re kind of like a clearinghouse for problems. If kids don’t feel safe, they don’t learn.”
Currently, Cabigas and one other advisor oversee roughly 800 students on campus, managing everything from daily attendance to conflict resolution and handling campus intruders. “I teach my kids’ kids at this point. They’re like my grandkids,” she shared. “A couple of my kids have come back to me with shocking stories, saying ‘yeah, you saved my life that day.’”
If the cuts are approved, Cabigas warns she could be responsible for over 1,100 students and might have to split her time between campuses. “It’s going to be violence out there,” she warned. “Who’s going to respond to it?”
Consequences for Wellness Centers and Student Support Services
Social workers, counselors, and campus safety advisors have expressed concerns that the layoffs would not only threaten the district’s wellness centers—safe spaces where students can de-stress and access mental health services—but also double workloads, increase wait times, and limit the number of students receiving help.
One district counselor, speaking anonymously due to fear of professional retaliation, revealed that she and seven other counselors may lose their jobs if the cuts proceed. More critically, students stand to lose support with academic planning, course selection, financial aid assistance, and college application guidance during an already uncertain time.
“I’ve had students who come in worried about their future. I have first-generation students that are concerned about what next year looks like,” the counselor said. “Kids don’t schedule their crisis. And if that counselor’s not there, they need to find someone else—and everyone is stretched thin.”
Broader Fiscal Challenges Across Bay Area School Districts
East Side Union High School District’s budget crisis is part of a wider trend facing Bay Area school districts. Many are grappling with multimillion-dollar budget gaps, forcing tough decisions about program cuts, staff layoffs, and school closures.
For instance, Oakland Unified School District is currently dealing with a $50 million deficit for the 2026-27 school year. Meanwhile, Alum Rock Union School District and Franklin-McKinley School District resorted to school closures last year to address $20 million budget shortfalls.
Union Calls for Fair and Balanced Budget Cuts
While the East Side Teachers Association recognizes the necessity of budget cuts, Hamner stressed that reductions should be spread evenly, rather than targeting critical student services. “We’re not asking them to not cut anything, but we’re asking them to wise up and take some reduction on administrators,” he said. “We’re supposed to be student-centered and focused on what our students need.”
Upcoming Board Meeting Details
The East Side Union High School District board meeting will be held at 6 p.m. both online and in-person at 830 N Capitol Avenue. Community members and stakeholders are encouraged to attend.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/01/22/east-san-jose-school-district-to-vote-on-layoffs-for-student-safety-mental-health-staff/