The Contra Costa Community College District governing board failed to approve a proposal to eliminate 10 classified positions after a tied vote Wednesday, March 11, following weeks of demonstrations by staff across district campuses.
The measure, titled “Resolution for Reduction of Classified Professionals,” would have eliminated positions at Contra Costa College and Diablo Valley College because of “lack of funds and/or lack of work,” according to district agenda documents. Although no positions at Los Medanos College were listed for elimination, staff members across the district said the layoffs could have triggered broader job displacement.
The vote ended in a tie, preventing the action item from passing. Board President Diana Honig and Trustee Andy Li voted in favor of the action item, while Trustees Rebecca Barrett and John Marquez abstained. Vice President Fernando Sandoval was absent.
District staff had recommended eliminating the positions as part of efforts to address budget concerns. The proposal included roles such as program coordinators, program assistants, instructional assistants and administrative staff assigned to departments including admissions and records, counseling, dramatic arts and outreach programs.
While the number of proposed layoffs was limited to 10 positions, classified employees warned the effects could extend much further due to seniority rules in the union contract.
Under those rules, employees whose positions are eliminated can move into similar positions held by employees with less seniority. Workers said that process could have displaced employees across the district, potentially affecting as many as 118 classified professionals.
Irene Sukhu, Classified Senate president at Los Medanos College, spoke during public comment at the meeting on behalf of Michael Simpson, vice president of Local 1, the union representing classified employees.
“Today we are facing layoffs at DVC and CCC that could ripple across 118 classified professionals districtwide,” Sukhu said while reading Simpson’s prepared remarks. “These are not abstract numbers. These are people, families, institutional knowledge that cannot be replaced.”
In the statement, Simpson criticized the district’s priorities, noting that the board approved nearly 8 percent raises for top administrators last year while classified employees now face layoffs.
“This is not about resentment,” Sukhu said, reading Simpson’s remarks. “This is about priorities.”
Other employees addressed the board to share how the layoffs could affect their work and colleagues.
Angelina LaBar, dramatic arts program coordinator at Contra Costa College and one of the positions listed in the proposal, told trustees that the possibility of displacing coworkers was troubling.
“The idea that I have to displace a colleague is deeply upsetting,” LaBar said during public comment. “I will displace a colleague because I cannot lose my health insurance.”
LaBar also said losing positions could disrupt programs and students who rely on them.
“I’m also deeply saddened to the fact that I will be abandoning students in the dramatic arts program,” she said.
Concerns about the layoffs had already prompted demonstrations across district campuses. On Tuesday, March 10, staff and students gathered outside the Student Services building at Los Medanos College for a solidarity rally organized by Local 1.
Participants said the gathering was meant to support employees who could have been affected by the proposal and to encourage district leaders to reconsider the layoffs.
“Those campuses being affected are having the same solidarity breaks,” Simpson said at the event. “We’re just creating a presence on campus to show leadership that we matter and that we want them to take this seriously.”
Supporters at the rally said classified professionals play a key role in keeping campuses running, from supporting students in offices to coordinating campus programs.
Although the measure ultimately failed, some staff members said the underlying financial challenges facing the district remain unresolved.
Sukhu said she felt relief that employees would not immediately face job losses but acknowledged that budget pressures could lead to other changes.
“I’m happy that our classified professionals still get to keep their jobs,” Sukhu said in an interview after the meeting. “But I’m also concerned about what the future might look like in terms of how they manage this from a budget standpoint.”
Classified professionals are one of four groups at community colleges, alongside students, faculty and administrators. Unlike faculty members who teach courses, classified staff provide operational and student services support, including roles in admissions, outreach and academic scheduling.
With the vote failing, the proposed layoffs will not move forward. However, in an email sent out to all district employees March 12, Chancellor of the 4CD, Mojdeh Mehdizadeh announced that the board will hold an emergency meeting March 13 at 5 p.m. to review a revised resolution. The new resolution removes one of the ten faculty positions that were in the original proposal, leaving nine classified positions to be reviewed in the new resolution for layoffs.
“Through this challenging time, I hope we can continue to support one another and work collaboratively to offer the best services possible for our students,” Mehdizadeh said.
If the Board passes the resolution, notifications will be sent March 14 by email and certified mail.
