To: Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District Board of Education

We, the undersigned parents, educators, and community members, respectfully petition the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District Board of Education to:

1) Delay the consideration of laying off ten (10) of its valued preschool educators until June, and

2.) To authorize the formation of a joint task force dedicated to strengthening recruitment and enrollment efforts for the district’s Early Learning Academies. This task force should be composed of stakeholders, including parents, preschool educators, program directors, and board members, to ensure a collaborative and transparent approach to securing the future of our district’s early childhood programs.

Rationale for This Request:

1. Transparency, Stakeholder Input, and Accountability: The District's failure to proactively address program needs has eroded the trust of parents and staff. Families and educators deserve transparency and an active voice in decisions that impact the education and care of our youngest learners. Stakeholders bring valuable experience, knowledge, and input to increase positive outcomes. This approach fosters trust and accountability in the district’s decision-making process.

2. Value of Collaboration to Improve Program Outcomes and Student Success: Research consistently shows that early childhood education lays the foundation for future academic and social success. Engaging the expertise of preschool educators, the perspective of parents, and the leadership of program directors and board members will lead to more effective recruitment strategies and innovative approaches to improve program outcomes. Collaboration among all stakeholders is key to creating robust early learning environments that set students on the path to lifelong success.

3. Disruption to Students and Learning Environments: Layoffs would result in educators being shifted between program sites and classrooms, causing disruption to the quality of service and the trusting relationships between students, families, and teachers. Young children thrive on consistency and stability, and losing familiar educators can hinder their emotional and academic development. Preserving classroom stability is vital for the well-being and success of our preschool students.

4. District's Failure to Advertise and Proactively Support Program Needs: Despite program staff requesting approval to advertise for numerous years in a row, the District has engaged in zero advertising efforts to promote enrollment in the Early Learning Academies. Students and Educators should not pay the price for the district’s failure to respond to program needs proactively. Effective advertising and outreach are essential to increasing enrollment and sustaining the program.

5. Compliance with Education Code Regarding Specially Funded Programs: The District’s Early Learning Academies are specially funded programs, subject to California Education Code Education Code §§45117(g). This provision requires only a 60-calendar-day notice for layoffs, distinguishing these programs from K-12 positions requiring March 15 notices. Given this flexibility, there is no legal requirement to proceed with layoffs before March 15. The District has ample time to explore collaborative solutions before resorting to staff reductions. A lawful 60-day notice could be provided as late June for reductions to take effect before the start of the next school year.

Petition Request: We urge the Board of Education to:

• Delay consideration of layoffs for preschool educators until the end of the 2024-2025 school year to give enrollment recruitment strategies a chance.
• Authorize the establishment of a joint task force comprising parents, preschool educators, program directors, and board members to develop and implement collaborative recruitment and enrollment strategies for the district’s Early Learning Academies.

By prioritizing collaboration, transparency, and stakeholder engagement, we can ensure that our district’s youngest learners receive the quality early education they deserve while supporting the dedicated educators who serve them.