During a recent Yakima School District board meeting, significant concerns were raised regarding staffing shortages and the impact on student services. Lucas Ozan, president of the Yabs union and head custodian at Hoover Elementary, highlighted alarming reductions in custodial staff, projecting a decrease from 110 custodians to just 80 by November 1st, with no substitutes available for three additional buildings. Ozan warned that this would lead to unclean classrooms, adversely affecting both students and staff. He urged the board to reconsider administrative staffing levels, suggesting that cuts could save the district up to $4 million.

Aaron Denham, a school psychologist at Garfield, praised the district's inclusion efforts but expressed concern over the declining morale among staff. He noted that teachers are feeling overwhelmed and warned that without adequate support, they may leave the district, jeopardizing the positive impact they have on students.

Amy Merrill, a long-time educator in the district, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for resources to support students, particularly in elementary schools where custodial shortages have led to unclean classrooms. She highlighted the challenges faced by teachers managing larger class sizes and higher needs without sufficient support.

Kylie Habkirk, a nursing student from Heritage University, raised alarms about the understaffing of school nurses across the district. With only 19 nurses for 22 schools, she pointed out that many schools lack immediate access to nursing care, which could have serious implications for student health and safety.

The meeting underscored a growing urgency for the Yakima School District to address staffing shortages and resource allocation to ensure a safe and supportive environment for both students and educators.