SEIU Local 521 held a news conference Wednesday to address two emerging issues at Fresno Unified School District: the elimination of the Designated Schools program and the district’s ongoing bid process for bus services.

In 2013-14, Fresno Unified and the Teacher’s Association created Article 65, allowing 40 schools to add 30 minutes of instructional time daily for students and up to 80 hours for teacher collaboration. This extra time, part of the regular school day, gives Designated Schools up to 18 more days of instruction annually and aims to close achievement gaps.

The Fresno Teachers Association criticized the district’s decision to cut the Designated Schools program, warning it would remove essential classroom resources and reduce instructional time. The FTA also noted that nearly 40% of district teachers could face a 12% pay cut, creating significant financial hardship.

Meanwhile, SEIU Local 521 voiced support for First Student school bus drivers as FUSD seeks new bids for its bussing program, a move that could impact 250 drivers. Representatives from SEIU Local 521, the Fresno Teachers Association, and First Student bus drivers urged district leaders to protect frontline education jobs and maintain stability for students and families.

First Student Inc., a nationwide company, operates buses for special needs students on behalf of the school district.

Fresno Unified Responds

Fresno Unified confirms the elimination of the Designated Schools program, citing Academic Return on Investment to ensure resources are used where they most benefit students, Chief Communications Officer of FUSD Nikki Henry told GV Wire. The district says the decision is part of a broader strategy to align funding with effective practices amid declining enrollment, projected to drop to 60,000 by 2030.

District officials push back on the FTA’s claims, calling them misleading. They say teachers will not face a 12% pay cut, with two-thirds seeing no reduction and the rest experiencing a phased 2% decrease with opportunities for extra pay.

Fresno Unified also denies accusations of padding its reserves, stating its current reserve levels are within board policy and are expected to drop near 4% by 2026-27 due to deficit spending.

Officials emphasize the importance of maintaining reserves beyond the state-required 2%, which wouldn’t cover a month of payroll.

FTA Says FUSD Has a ‘Lack of Accountability and Leadership’

FTA President Manuel Bonilla said that the district has made a unilateral decision to cut a program affecting about 30,000 students, reducing daily instructional time by 30 minutes.

The decision, made without input from educators, has sparked concerns about the loss of trust and respect, he said.

Critics argue that instead of investing in classrooms, the district is directing funds to reserves and consultants.

FTA said that with a $234 million reserve, the district does not need to make these cuts. Bonilla described the elimination of Designated Schools as a violation of trust with the community and educators.

“There’s a lack of accountability and leadership in our school district,” Bonilla said. “We are going to step up and lead if everybody else is not going to.”

Union Leaders Warn Bus Driver Jobs, Pay at Risk

Concerns also centered on potential job losses for 250 bus drivers. Speakers highlighted the vital role bus drivers play in students’ daily lives, particularly for those who require specialized transportation.

“They know their medical issues. They know any of the fragile items that they have physically,” Bonilla said. “For a family to now have to go and find another person to trust, that’s a really big deal.”

If Fresno Unified decides to go with a new bus contractor, there is no guarantee the 250 current bus drivers under First Student would be hired to the new company.

“The public needs to stay engaged in regards to that,” he said. “Being able to stay engaged in regards to these particular issues. They are important. They impact a lot of our students and they impact our teachers.”

Dillion Savory, executive director of the Central Labor Council criticized Fresno Unified’s treatment of workers.

“They’re doing this job out of the care and respect that they have there for their community and the vulnerable students that they serve,” Savory said. “If a new bidder comes in and they get the contract, maybe they hire a few of these bus drivers because of the market pool, some of them are not going to have jobs at the end of this process. Many of them are going to get paid drastically different wages.”

SEIU Recently Filed Grievances Alleging First Student Wage Theft

In December, SEIU filed grievances with First Student, alleging wage theft. They also filed complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regarding the sexual harassment claims.

At that time, union spokesperson Victor Gamiz said the wage theft allegations included requirements to clock out to complete paperwork and clean buses. Employees are owed from hundreds to thousands of dollars, he said.

And, union official Riko Mendez called First Student “one of the most penny-pinching employers I’ve ever come across in my 20-year career in labor.”

First Student Bus Driver: ‘My Children are Amazing’

First Student driver Jacole Paul says the decision would impact more than just transportation — it would disrupt the lives of the children who depend on them.

Paul, who has driven students for two years, describes the deep bonds formed with students, particularly those with special needs.

“My children are amazing. They all have their little tics, their little quirks,” Paul said. “Once you understand them, you know them, and you can accommodate and adjust.”

For Paul, the role extends beyond driving. She sees herself as an educator, helping students transition into their day and develop emotional regulation skills.

“Two of my children were able to transition back into the regular school district,” she said while speaking on the encouragement and structure the bus drivers provide. “We set the tone of their day and we set the tone when they go home.”

Paul also noted that many drivers go beyond their official duties, communicating with parents about student well-being despite it not being in their contracts.

“The more you know about a child, the more you understand them, the more you can help them,” she said. “We play a part in rounding these children to be beautiful children in our community.”

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