Stockton Unified Looking To Rehire 60 Safety Positions
STOCKTON (CBS13) — Stockton Unified School District Superintendent Carl Toliver says school security has always been on the top of his list, but budget cuts forced him to wait until now to try and rehire laid-off security personnel.
"When we balanced our budget for the books for this year, which took effect in September, we're able to realize we have $2 million where we can probably bring people back," he said.
The $2.3 million is enough to bring back about 60 part-time employees, mostly security positions like campus safety monitors and assistants, in addition to the ones already keeping an eye on students, and put one police officer at each of the major high schools in the district.
"They are to be preventative on campuses and be the eyes and ears of the administration and counsel youngsters when they can," he said.
Campus safety became more of a concern for some Fillmore Elementary parents after Pami Gibbs, a third grader's mom, went on campus and allegedly punched principal Evangelina Ramos reportedly over a dress code dispute.
"Because of what happened to the principal I want to know my daughter is safe," said parent Linda Ramirez, "so I think it's a good idea."
Across town, a pair of Edison High School students was shot one block from campus as classes were ending for the week.
"I always felt you should have extra help at schools because you never know what can happen," said another parent, Larry Woolen.
But despite the recent high-profile incidents, Toliver says campus safety isn't as bad as it seems.
"Our safety infractions are down from last year," he said. "We are better off this year than what we were last year."
A former monitor doesn't share that view. "If I get my job back I'm happy, I got my job back, I'm happy," said Maryana Perez, who is also a parent in the district. "If I don't, I at least want whoever -- more security on campus whether it be me or somebody else."
The school board still has to vote on the rehiring during its Tuesday meeting.
