Board Cuts IBL Assistant Principal Despite Fierce Community Opposition

The Pacifica School District Board on March 11 adopted a modified layoff resolution eliminating the assistant principal at Ingrid B. Lacy Middle School (IBL) — the district's only comprehensive middle school — over the objections of 10 teachers, parents and staff who spoke for nearly 30 minutes urging the board to reverse course. The vote came on a night defined by fiscal distress: the board also certified its budget as "qualified," signaling it may not meet financial obligations, while authorizing $30 million in new construction bonds and a refinancing expected to save taxpayers $1 million.

• Board adopts layoff resolution cutting IBL's assistant principal after modifying the original proposal from two AP positions to one; community members describe student mental health crises and safety concerns

• District budget certified as "qualified," triggering heightened county oversight and an imminent FCMAT review of all financial records

• $30M in new Measure G bonds authorized alongside a $1M refinancing; bond manager identifies $6.8M path to fund long-requested IBL field replacement

• Classified staff mark 253 days without a contract as CSEA and LSEA blast the district for growing administrative ranks while cutting school-site positions

• Measure EE parcel tax worth nearly $1M annually expires next year with no renewal plan in multi-year projections

IBL Loses an Assistant Principal as Community Pleads for Mercy

The basics: Resolution 2026-03-11F authorized the district to notify certificated employees of potential layoffs by the March 15 statutory deadline. The original proposal would have eliminated two assistant principal positions — one at IBL and one vice principal at Cabrillo — but was modified before the vote to preserve the Cabrillo position, reducing the AP cut to one. The final list also includes 1.0 FTE school counselor, 1.0 FTE world teacher, 1.0 FTE special education teacher (contracted position), 0.8 FTE single subject teacher, 0.4 FTE RTI teacher, and 0.5 FTE homeschool teacher.

Why it matters: IBL serves 650 students and has the district's highest special education population — 107 IEP and 55 Section 504 students, according to public commenters. The assistant principal being reassigned to a counselor role, identified by speakers as Mr. Garcia, is described as the only Latino male administrator in the district with 24 years of experience. Community members argued the cut contradicts the district's own LCAP goals and jeopardizes student safety at a school already stretched thin.

Where things stand: Ten community members lined up to oppose the cut, painting a portrait of a middle school in crisis that cannot afford to lose leadership. Margaret Twomey, IBL sixth grade teacher, described the stakes in raw terms: a student in her class wanted to call the suicide hotline while a grieving student simultaneously needed support — all within a single class period.

Charlene Hilo, IBL school secretary and 20-year CSEA member (who spoke as official representative of the union on another agenda item), argued the school's three-administrator structure is finally working.

"IBL is the only comprehensive middle school in this district with 650 students, and needs three administrators," she said, opposing the reassignment of Mr. Garcia, who she said had built irreplaceable trust with families.

LSEA Bargaining Chair Rachel Merlo, a 17-year IBL teacher, delivered a data-driven argument: with 160 IEP and 504 students requiring annual meetings, administrative conferences alone would consume nearly the entire school year, leaving just 25 days with two available administrators.

Amy Swanson, IBL parent, highlighted the equity dimension, noting Mr. Garcia is the only Latino male administrator in the district. She also questioned the interim superintendent's reported $40,000 raise during a fiscal crisis.

Nicole Fletcher, Ortega parent and Parent Advisory Committee member, cited the district's own LCAP Goal 1.7 data showing behavioral referrals had decreased since the second AP was added at IBL. She also pointed to $400,000 in unspent LCAP funds, urging the board to delay the vote until finances were fully reviewed. Jonathan Slusher, IBL interim counselor, urged decision-makers to visit classrooms before finalizing cuts, saying he had seen immense positive effects from the current staffing model on student mental health.

Decisions: The board adopted the modified resolution by voice vote, reducing the AP cuts from two to one. Interim Director of Human Resources Rachel Romo confirmed the modification, stating that based on updated enrollment and operational data, the reduction was adjusted. Board members acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, noting the qualified budget certification means the county is watching closely and the March 15 statutory deadline left no room for delay.

What's next: Staff emphasized that positions could potentially be restored by May if the district's fiscal picture improves. A third interim budget report is expected in May with updated projections.

District Budget on the Brink: 'Qualified' Certification Triggers County Oversight

Why it matters: A "qualified" certification is one step from "negative" — which could lead to state takeover of the district's finances. The designation means the district may not be able to meet its financial obligations in the current or two subsequent fiscal years.

Where things stand: Dusty Nevatt, District Financial Consultant, presented the second interim budget showing continued deficit spending even after all identified cuts. "

At this particular time, we're moving forward with a qualified self-certification, meaning that we may not meet our financial obligations," she told the board.

The numbers are stark: the district must find an additional $375,000 in unidentified reductions for 2026-27 and $450,000 for 2027-28 to maintain a 3% reserve. The cost-of-living adjustment was reduced from 3% to 2.41% for 2026-27, lowering projected revenues. Budget collaborative meetings identified software subscription savings of $140,000 and projected legal cost reductions of $500,000, but those gains are not enough to close the gap.

Compounding the pressure, the Measure EE parcel tax — worth just under $1 million annually and funding three teachers, four counselors, and library media technicians — has not been renewed and is not included in projections beyond 2026-27. If voters don't renew it, the district faces another seven-figure hole.

An LSEA Representative disclosed that the San Mateo County Office of Education sent a letter to Board President Lynda Brocchini expressing concern about fiscal stabilization, leadership turnover, position control, and special education costs.

"This letter now results in an independent expert body, Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team, FCMAT, to come to Pacifica to examine all pertinent financial records," the representative told the board.

Board Clerk Bridget Hardt acknowledged that certifying as qualified "is moving in the direction of state takeover."

Public commenter Tara criticized the district's reliance on expensive outside consultants, questioned how the budget went from a projected 9-10% reserve to barely 3%, and argued special education needs a dedicated director rather than staff doing multiple jobs.

Decisions: The board approved the qualified certification by voice vote as recommended by the county and the district's financial consultant.

What's next: Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) will review all financial records. The district plans to present a third interim report in May with updated projections.

$30M in Bonds Unlock School Upgrades — and a Path to the IBL Field

Why it matters: Measure G, a $70 million bond approved by voters, has only issued $10 million to date. The new $30 million tranche unlocks capital for school facility projects while keeping the taxpayer rate under the $30-per-$100,000 assessed value commitment. Separately, a refinancing of older bonds will save taxpayers an estimated $1 million.

Where things stand: Katherine Jacobson, managing director at RBC Capital Markets, presented both bond resolutions. On the refinancing, she noted:

"If you sold the bonds today, about a million dollars in savings for taxpayers" — an 8.19% present value savings, well above the 3% industry threshold.

Bond Project Manager Sisi Meng delivered a comprehensive update on both Measure O (with $1.9 million remaining) and Measure G. The total Measure G construction budget is approximately $18.7 million for school projects after accounting for bond issuance costs, a $55 million workforce housing allocation, and soft costs. The presentation centered on a creative plan to fund the long-sought IBL field replacement: Tier 1 school operational needs total $1.2 million, leaving $4.8 million, which combined with $2 million in savings from unused Vallemar portable classrooms could yield $6.8 million for the field.

Current projects include Sunset Ridge canopy replacement (delayed by a testing failure), Cabrillo outdoor improvements, Linda Mar Ed Center roof replacement, new monument signs, play structure replacements at three sites, exterior painting district-wide, and playground asphalt replacement. A $5.3 million roof replacement liability starting in 2030 was also flagged. All school fields combined would cost $23 million — far more than available funds — making the IBL field the priority candidate.

LSEA Bargaining Chair Rachel Merlo pleaded for the field funding, describing it as the PE classroom for the entire school. "

Yesterday we had our required evacuation drill. Three, I think three, probably more adults tripped and fell and injured themselves," she said of the current field conditions.

Decisions: Both resolutions passed by voice vote — Resolution 2026-03-11A authorizing the new $30 million Measure G Series B bonds, and Resolution 2026-03-11B authorizing the refinancing.

What's next: Board feedback on the master planning process has been stalled since June 2025. The bond program team will continue project execution and refine the IBL field timeline.

Unions Sound Alarm: 253 Days Without a Contract

Why it matters: Classified staff wages in Pacifica rank at the bottom of neighboring districts, and the workforce has been operating without a ratified contract for over eight months — with no salary counteroffer from the district.

Where things stand: CSEA Chapter 128 Representative Charlene Hilo delivered a blunt assessment:

"Here we are, 253 days after our contract has expired, and the district still has not made a counteroffer on salary."

She challenged board members to try living on classified wages, calling it "impossible" and describing wages as "at the bottom of the barrel." CSEA acknowledged the board's decision to preserve the Administrative Secretary position but stressed that wages remain the core issue.

CSEA Second Vice President Nicole Ortega urged the board to examine spending on top administration and outside consultants before cutting student-facing positions.

"Before we make decisions that impact students directly, we need to pause and we need to take a deeper look," she said.

An LSEA Representative reported that the union had prepared an unfair labor practice letter but held it after learning of the county's FCMAT intervention. She pointed to a troubling pattern:

"Taking away direct support to students while continuing to support district office roles does not sound like fiscal stabilization or position control."

The three labor organizations — LSEA, LSMA, and CSEA — jointly presented a resolution honoring departing Interim Executive Director of Educational Support Services Dr. Carla Chavez Torres for her collaborative work with labor, underscoring the contrast between staff they value and institutional decisions they oppose.

Minor Items

• Consent agenda approved, including updated job descriptions for district office cabinet roles — a move that drew criticism from labor partners who noted it appeared on the same agenda as school-site staff reductions.

• Board policy first read covered updates aligned with state and federal law as of February 2026, including religious fasting accommodations, extreme weather protocols, and academic credit transfer frameworks for foster, homeless, and military-connected youth per AB 1412. Interim Executive Director Dr. Carla Chavez Torres presented the updates. No vote taken; items will return for a second reading.

• Ortega Elementary PTO reported $114,000 in annual fundraising and $127,000 in expenditures, funding art instruction ($34,000), a garden science teacher ($35,000), a La Garza PBIS specialist ($19,000), and teacher stipends ($400 per teacher). The PTO also covered an $17,850 blacktop resurfacing project after heavy equipment damage from turf installation. PTO President Andrea Antonio noted teachers report lacking funding for classroom book sets and field trip transportation.

• Cabrillo PTO leader Amber Porter honored for years of service to the school community.

• Public commenter Stan Martin requested a policy banning electric motorcycles and scooters from school campuses, citing student safety concerns and recent accident headlines.

• No action taken in closed session on labor negotiations with CSEA and LSEA.