Fresno Unified School District is looking to move forward with a workforce reduction as they grapple with a growing $77 million budget deficit.

At the Wednesday night School Board meeting, district leaders will propose the elimination of approximately 200 positions — $39 million in reductions. Fresno Unified has about 8,000 employees.

“This is very difficult. Laying off employees was not a decision taken lightly, but it is necessary to keep our district fiscally solvent, with the least impact on our students,” Superintendent Misty Her said in a statement issued Tuesday. “We are committed to preserving programs and services to students while maintaining effective staffing and student-to-teacher ratios.”

Fresno Unified is facing a $77 million budget deficit for 2026-27 and a projected $59 million deficit the following fiscal year. This has ballooned from previous predictions of a $50 million deficit over the next two years.

These budget concerns are due to declining enrollment and lower daily attendance — an issue affecting schools throughout California.

Recently, the School Board approved a supplemental retirement plan for 573 employees, looking to save about $56 million over the next five years. About 100 positions will need to be refilled.

This saved 324 positions from being axed, according to a district statement.

Now, Fresno Unified is looking at a “comprehensive reorganization of position, programs and support.” This includes elimination or realignment of programs to focus priorities on the district’s Goals and Guardrails.

The district will provide affected employees a personalized list of other positions available to them and a timeline for acceptance if they are not placed in the seniority-based “bumping” process.

“Once the board approves the necessary recommendation reduction in force, the primary commitment is to support our dedicated staff through this transition,” Her said. We are also actively working with our labor partners to minimize the impact of these necessary reductions in force.”

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Fresno Teacher Association Responds

The Fresno Teachers Association responded sharply in a Facebook post, arguing the layoffs would weaken student safety, early literacy efforts, and access to essential support services.

Union leaders said reducing positions such as preschool teachers and library staff could limit educational opportunities and diminish resources that help students succeed. They also warned that fewer counselors and support staff might erode connections between schools and families.

The district has not officially confirmed which positions will be eliminated. This will be decided by March 25, according to a district spokesperson.

The association contends the district has alternatives, pointing to growth in management positions.

The district pushed back against this in its statement, saying there has been a 17.8% reduction in district office leadership over the past three years.

In the 2023-24 school year, the district reduced $3.5 million in district leadership. An additional $9 million reduction is proposed for the 2026-27 school year.

Additionally, FTA said the district’s reserves exceed 10%, five-times the state minimum. However, district officials say the current reserve is 5.83%.

Board Policy 3110 mandates the reserve must stay within 5-10% despite the state minimum for a district FUSD’s size being 2%.

Union representatives plan to attend the Wednesday board meeting and speak against the proposed cuts, urging officials to explore other solutions before reducing staffing.