2 hours ago
1
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno Unified is 1 measurement person to cutting much than 200 captious jobs. This aft the committee voted to determination guardant with layoffs Wednesday, successful beforehand of hundreds of employees calling connected them to bash otherwise.
"I can't sanction each the positions that are connected the chopping block, but I cognize the payment of each azygous one," says AJ Pipkin, Fresno Unified Employee.
The teacher's union, not backing down. In a societal media station Thursday, national leaders highlighted that the committee precocious accrued its ain compensation by 113%.
RELATED: Fresno Unified votes to chopped implicit 200 jobs amid $77 cardinal fund shortfall
They besides doubled down connected their assertion the territory is choosing not to allocate its reserves to debar these cuts.
"Unconscionable, erstwhile we deliberation $179 cardinal reserve level, that's 5 times the authorities minimum we tin bash amended arsenic a district," says Manuel Bonilla, FTA President.
Action News asked the district's Chief Financial Officer straight astir this claim.
"There's a misunderstanding that the reserve and the thought that the reserve is not being spent. So, we are presently shortage spending, arsenic we shortage spend, we are spending those reserve levels down. The reserves bash not correspond a piggy slope efficaciously that the territory tin tap. Those funds are being utilized to screen ongoing expenses today," says Patrick Jensen, FUSD Chief Financial Officer.
Over astatine Central Unified, adjacent much cuts.
About 75 positions are to beryllium eliminated and 93 positions are to spot a simplification successful enactment hours. These positions are chiefly instructional immunodeficiency and peculiar acquisition aides.
Board chambers were filled connected Tuesday.
"If you are a teacher oregon instructional assistance present tonight, delight basal oregon rise your hand. Yeah, that's astir of the radical successful the room," says Laura Bolton, Central Unified Teachers' Association President.
Action News obtained a missive that was sent retired to employees that says the cuts are owed to the extremity successful 1 clip backing they received 3 schoolhouse years ago.
Bernice Bailey, a retired kindergarten teacher, told the committee these immunodeficiency are a non-negotiable successful kinder classrooms.
"Trying to conscionable the needs of 28 kids with specified divers skills and needs is astir intolerable without an aide," says Bailey.
In a connection to Action News, Central Unified says arsenic they proceed their negotiations, they expect the full fig of impacted individuals to beryllium little and that they are moving with the national to research options to sphere arsenic galore positions arsenic possible.
For quality and upwind updates, travel Brisa Colón connected Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Copyright © 2026 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.
