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  • More than 400 Sacramento City Unified preschool, classified positions could be laid off

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    The Sacramento City Unified School District’s board of education approved motions involving workforce cuts that could impact 423 positions.The two resolutions impacting preschool and classified positions come as SCUSD grapples with a $113 million deficit. The school district’s financial crisis has led to expressed frustration from families and employees as talks of having the state take over the district have been ongoing. However, school district officials earlier this month seemed optimistic that SCUSD would not hit insolvency this school year.A December report originally showed SCUD’s deficit was at $51.6 million, but that number swelled to $113 million. But the school district said it found ways to save about $44 million, previously stating that the approach includes laying off 68 administrative positions, reducing non-school department budgets, freezing non-custodial supply purchases and other measures.SCUSD’s board of education met on Thursday to approve two resolutions: one to lay off classified employees and the other to lay off preschool employees. Agenda item documents list the reasons for both actions as “a lack of work and/or lack of funds.” The documents for both categories of employees state that they will receive their layoff notices, which are effective at the end of the current school year. A district spokesperson previously told KCRA 3 that a “history of poor budgeting practices” and inaccurate representations of the district’s finances are factors in why the school district is in its dire situation. | RELATED READ | Sacramento City Unified School District Superintendent Lisa Allen resigns amid financial crisisOf the 423 positions receiving a layoff warning, 121 are vacant. There are a separate 45 positions up for consideration. However, the number of positions actually laid off may differ when decisions are finalized in May.Another update on the district’s financial plan is set for Feb. 18.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

    The Sacramento City Unified School District’s board of education approved motions involving workforce cuts that could impact 423 positions.

    The two resolutions impacting preschool and classified positions come as SCUSD grapples with a $113 million deficit.

    The school district’s financial crisis has led to expressed frustration from families and employees as talks of having the state take over the district have been ongoing. However, school district officials earlier this month seemed optimistic that SCUSD would not hit insolvency this school year.

    A December report originally showed SCUD’s deficit was at $51.6 million, but that number swelled to $113 million.

    But the school district said it found ways to save about $44 million, previously stating that the approach includes laying off 68 administrative positions, reducing non-school department budgets, freezing non-custodial supply purchases and other measures.

    SCUSD’s board of education met on Thursday to approve two resolutions: one to lay off classified employees and the other to lay off preschool employees. Agenda item documents list the reasons for both actions as “a lack of work and/or lack of funds.”

    The documents for both categories of employees state that they will receive their layoff notices, which are effective at the end of the current school year.

    A district spokesperson previously told KCRA 3 that a “history of poor budgeting practices” and inaccurate representations of the district’s finances are factors in why the school district is in its dire situation.

    | RELATED READ | Sacramento City Unified School District Superintendent Lisa Allen resigns amid financial crisis

    Of the 423 positions receiving a layoff warning, 121 are vacant. There are a separate 45 positions up for consideration. However, the number of positions actually laid off may differ when decisions are finalized in May.

    Another update on the district’s financial plan is set for Feb. 18.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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  • SCUSD Superintendent Lisa Allen to resign amid financial crisis, source says

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    Sacramento City Unified School District Superintendent Lisa Allen will resign from her position, as the district faces a financial crisis that could lead to a state takeover.KCRA 3 obtained a recording of a portion of a video conference call from a district employee on Thursday when Allen called for a “new leader.” “It’s time for the district to have a new leader to lead us through this challenging time,” Allen said. “And we will get through these budget woes.” Allen said she had planned to serve for three more years but upon reflection realized that she was “not the face and future of the district.” A district representative said there will be a statement from the Board of Education at Thursday’s meeting. According to a December report, SCUSD is facing a $51.6 million deficit. An updated figure is expected to be shared at Thursday’s meeting when the district’s Interim Chief Business and Operations Officer, Lisa Grant-Dawson, will present an update to its Fiscal Solvency Plan.In a letter sent to district families Monday afternoon, Sacramento City Board of Education President Tara Jeane said there had been “a problematic lack of clarity on the scope of our deficit” and that action to correct the deficit had stalled in recent months.“If we run out of cash and we can’t pay our bills, we then have to get a loan from the state and that is officially state receivership,” she said. District and county leaders stressed Tuesday that all efforts right now are focused on circumventing that option. A state receivership situation would include an appointed trustee being brought in to run the district and serve as the board.Any decision about layoffs needs to be made by March 15, Jeane said.Allen was first named acting superintendent in July 2023 after Jorge Aguilar stepped down, following budget battles with the teacher’s union and board. She became interim superintendent that July, and then superintendent in April 2024. Allen has served in various district roles for 28 years, according to an online bio.The Sacramento County Office of Education is assisting the Sacramento City Unified School District with its attempt to avoid what’s called “fiscal insolvency” by providing financial experts to help guide solutions.”They’re facing, potentially, a shortfall big enough to cause them to go bankrupt. And if they go bankrupt, if they go insolvent, they’re required to get a state loan, which comes with interest,” said Dave Gordon, Superintendent of the Sacramento County Office of Education. “We are trying to give all the help we can to make sure they don’t have to become insolvent.”Gordon said, however, if the district is found to be insolvent, education will continue for district students. He did expect the district to identify costs that can be cut and to consider laying off employees.”I think more information will be forthcoming as we run the numbers and get more confident of how much needs to be cut and whether it’s there to be cut,” he said.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

    Sacramento City Unified School District Superintendent Lisa Allen will resign from her position, as the district faces a financial crisis that could lead to a state takeover.

    KCRA 3 obtained a recording of a portion of a video conference call from a district employee on Thursday when Allen called for a “new leader.”

    “It’s time for the district to have a new leader to lead us through this challenging time,” Allen said. “And we will get through these budget woes.”

    Allen said she had planned to serve for three more years but upon reflection realized that she was “not the face and future of the district.”

    A district representative said there will be a statement from the Board of Education at Thursday’s meeting.

    According to a December report, SCUSD is facing a $51.6 million deficit. An updated figure is expected to be shared at Thursday’s meeting when the district’s Interim Chief Business and Operations Officer, Lisa Grant-Dawson, will present an update to its Fiscal Solvency Plan.

    In a letter sent to district families Monday afternoon, Sacramento City Board of Education President Tara Jeane said there had been “a problematic lack of clarity on the scope of our deficit” and that action to correct the deficit had stalled in recent months.

    “If we run out of cash and we can’t pay our bills, we then have to get a loan from the state and that is officially state receivership,” she said.

    District and county leaders stressed Tuesday that all efforts right now are focused on circumventing that option. A state receivership situation would include an appointed trustee being brought in to run the district and serve as the board.

    Any decision about layoffs needs to be made by March 15, Jeane said.

    Allen was first named acting superintendent in July 2023 after Jorge Aguilar stepped down, following budget battles with the teacher’s union and board. She became interim superintendent that July, and then superintendent in April 2024. Allen has served in various district roles for 28 years, according to an online bio.

    The Sacramento County Office of Education is assisting the Sacramento City Unified School District with its attempt to avoid what’s called “fiscal insolvency” by providing financial experts to help guide solutions.

    “They’re facing, potentially, a shortfall big enough to cause them to go bankrupt. And if they go bankrupt, if they go insolvent, they’re required to get a state loan, which comes with interest,” said Dave Gordon, Superintendent of the Sacramento County Office of Education. “We are trying to give all the help we can to make sure they don’t have to become insolvent.”

    Gordon said, however, if the district is found to be insolvent, education will continue for district students. He did expect the district to identify costs that can be cut and to consider laying off employees.

    “I think more information will be forthcoming as we run the numbers and get more confident of how much needs to be cut and whether it’s there to be cut,” he said.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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  • Phoebe Hearst teacher demands $2.3 million from SCUSD over carpet removal, alleging retaliation

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    A Sacramento teacher is demanding $2.3 million from the Sacramento City Unified School District, alleging discrimination and retaliation after being disciplined for removing carpet from her classroom. KCRA 3 obtained a legal letter from Jeanine Rupert’s attorney, which claims the district discriminated against the long-time Phoebe Hearst Elementary School teacher.The letter describes Rupert’s removal from her class as a “cruel punishment.” Rupert said she tore up dirty, frayed carpet last year after years of complaints, similar to actions taken by two male teachers in their classrooms who removed carpet from their classrooms. She said her classroom, Room 7, was known for being in disarray before she took it over and that she and her father had previously painted its walls without objection. Rupert’s students assisted with the carpet removal by using hammers and a crowbar. She argued that the use of similar tools by students at the school was commonplace, with students using power tools, mowing the school lawn and trimming bushes with shears. In a disciplinary letter, the district labeled the carpet removal as vandalism, stating Rupert put students at risk and caused more than $22,000 in damage. A SCUSD spokesperson previously said that district staff assessed the carpet and determined it was not time for replacement. In a notice sent to Rupert, the district said that after Rupert’s actions the bulk of the cost to repair and replace the flooring, $12,600, was for asbestos removal. The notice said the students weren’t exposed to asbestos.Initially, Rupert offered to repay the district if she was reinstated. Now, she is demanding $2.3 million in damages. She also alleges that the district failed to comply with the federal Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act by never notifying her or “district employees generally that there were asbestos hazards in the classrooms.” Some students and their parents have staged walkouts in support of Rupert, who was transferred out of the school. Parents have also served the school board’s president with a recall notice. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

    A Sacramento teacher is demanding $2.3 million from the Sacramento City Unified School District, alleging discrimination and retaliation after being disciplined for removing carpet from her classroom.

    KCRA 3 obtained a legal letter from Jeanine Rupert’s attorney, which claims the district discriminated against the long-time Phoebe Hearst Elementary School teacher.

    The letter describes Rupert’s removal from her class as a “cruel punishment.”

    Rupert said she tore up dirty, frayed carpet last year after years of complaints, similar to actions taken by two male teachers in their classrooms who removed carpet from their classrooms.

    She said her classroom, Room 7, was known for being in disarray before she took it over and that she and her father had previously painted its walls without objection.

    Rupert’s students assisted with the carpet removal by using hammers and a crowbar. She argued that the use of similar tools by students at the school was commonplace, with students using power tools, mowing the school lawn and trimming bushes with shears.

    In a disciplinary letter, the district labeled the carpet removal as vandalism, stating Rupert put students at risk and caused more than $22,000 in damage.

    A SCUSD spokesperson previously said that district staff assessed the carpet and determined it was not time for replacement. In a notice sent to Rupert, the district said that after Rupert’s actions the bulk of the cost to repair and replace the flooring, $12,600, was for asbestos removal.

    The notice said the students weren’t exposed to asbestos.

    Initially, Rupert offered to repay the district if she was reinstated. Now, she is demanding $2.3 million in damages.

    She also alleges that the district failed to comply with the federal Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act by never notifying her or “district employees generally that there were asbestos hazards in the classrooms.”

    Some students and their parents have staged walkouts in support of Rupert, who was transferred out of the school. Parents have also served the school board’s president with a recall notice.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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  • Sacramento parents, students protest replacement of teacher over carpet removal

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    Nearly 100 parents and students gathered at Thursday’s Sacramento City Unified School District board meeting to protest the removal of Jeanine Rupert, a sixth-grade teacher at Phoebe A. Hearst Elementary School.The removal comes after an incident at the end of last school year, when Rupert and her students removed old carpeting from her classroom, which may have contained asbestos. “She was removed from the classroom without due process, without cause. And secretly!” James Frazee, a parent at the meeting, said. “This was done on a Friday before a three-day weekend, and told she can’t show up. And this is allegedly over pulling up carpet.”Parents and students spoke in support of Rupert, describing her as an incredible teacher and role model.”I think it’s a horrible loss for our school to lose her,” one student said.”Mrs. Rupert has been the leader. She’s been an absolute joy to the school,” a parent added. “She’s been somebody who’s constantly helping our students, not just in the classroom, but outside the classroom.”Another student expressed deep admiration for their teacher.”I personally think that Mrs. Rupert was just one of the most magical teachers, maybe in the history of the world,” they said.The district claims Rupert was removed after the carpet was taken out, but stated: “The District’s fact-gathering and investigation into the matter were just completed earlier this week. The determination was made that none of the asbestos tiles underneath the classroom carpet had been damaged when students were present. The removal of the carpet did not cause a disturbance that would cause exposure to asbestos.Nonetheless, now that the investigation is complete, District staff will begin the process of reaching out to individual families to reassure them of their student’s safety and provide any necessary support.”Rupert’s father attended the meeting, sharing that his daughter has been devastated by her removal. “She tried to get it replaced for five years, and she decided to take it on her own. She’s torn up. She’s given her life to Phoebe Hearst,” said Tim O’Brien, Rupert’s father.Many families are confused by the district’s handling of the situation. “It blows the mind to think that somebody would be removed for something like that. She has a track record of excellence in the classroom,” one parent said.”I can’t believe that she’s getting fired for one carpet. That doesn’t make any sense to me,” a student added.Community members organized quickly after the district changed Thursday night’s meeting time. Organizers were expected to give public comment at 6 p.m.”It was around 4 o’clock when it was supposed to be at 5,” one attendee said.”It was a complete lack of transparency because it was unclear when we were supposed to be able to come and speak,” another person at the meeting added.The district stated that Rupert was not fired and remains employed, but parents reported receiving an email from Principal Brooke Fahey indicating she has been replaced by another teacher set to start on Sept. 8. The district says, “Mrs. Rupert will be teaching at a different school this year.” KCRA posed multiple follow-up questions to the district regarding the situation, including where Rupert will be teaching, and has yet to hear back. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

    Nearly 100 parents and students gathered at Thursday’s Sacramento City Unified School District board meeting to protest the removal of Jeanine Rupert, a sixth-grade teacher at Phoebe A. Hearst Elementary School.

    The removal comes after an incident at the end of last school year, when Rupert and her students removed old carpeting from her classroom, which may have contained asbestos.

    “She was removed from the classroom without due process, without cause. And secretly!” James Frazee, a parent at the meeting, said. “This was done on a Friday before a three-day weekend, and told she can’t show up. And this is allegedly over pulling up carpet.”

    Parents and students spoke in support of Rupert, describing her as an incredible teacher and role model.

    “I think it’s a horrible loss for our school to lose her,” one student said.

    “Mrs. Rupert has been the leader. She’s been an absolute joy to the school,” a parent added. “She’s been somebody who’s constantly helping our students, not just in the classroom, but outside the classroom.”

    Another student expressed deep admiration for their teacher.

    “I personally think that Mrs. Rupert was just one of the most magical teachers, maybe in the history of the world,” they said.

    The district claims Rupert was removed after the carpet was taken out, but stated:

    “The District’s fact-gathering and investigation into the matter were just completed earlier this week. The determination was made that none of the asbestos tiles underneath the classroom carpet had been damaged when students were present. The removal of the carpet did not cause a disturbance that would cause exposure to asbestos.

    Nonetheless, now that the investigation is complete, District staff will begin the process of reaching out to individual families to reassure them of their student’s safety and provide any necessary support.”

    Rupert’s father attended the meeting, sharing that his daughter has been devastated by her removal.

    “She tried to get it replaced for five years, and she decided to take it on her own. She’s torn up. She’s given her life to Phoebe Hearst,” said Tim O’Brien, Rupert’s father.

    Many families are confused by the district’s handling of the situation.

    “It blows the mind to think that somebody would be removed for something like that. She has a track record of excellence in the classroom,” one parent said.

    “I can’t believe that she’s getting fired for one carpet. That doesn’t make any sense to me,” a student added.

    Community members organized quickly after the district changed Thursday night’s meeting time. Organizers were expected to give public comment at 6 p.m.

    “It was around 4 o’clock when it was supposed to be at 5,” one attendee said.

    “It was a complete lack of transparency because it was unclear when we were supposed to be able to come and speak,” another person at the meeting added.

    The district stated that Rupert was not fired and remains employed, but parents reported receiving an email from Principal Brooke Fahey indicating she has been replaced by another teacher set to start on Sept. 8.

    The district says, “Mrs. Rupert will be teaching at a different school this year.”

    KCRA posed multiple follow-up questions to the district regarding the situation, including where Rupert will be teaching, and has yet to hear back.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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