Overview
The California State Budget and the Federal Government provide higher education with one-time funding to be used on activities that directly support student learning and continuity of education. Los Rios is able to use this grant money to fund classified positions for a specific amount of time per grant funding that will support our student services and outreach efforts.
When funding ends, Los Rios may eliminate these positions. If that happens, then Los Rios will provide notices to all affected employees explaining their rights under the board policy, collective bargaining agreement, and Education Code.
FAQ
The 2022-2023 California State Budget provided $650 million in one-time funding to establish the California Community College COVID-19 Recovery Block Grant. The funds are used on activities that directly support student learning and continuity of education, and mitigate learning-loss related to COVID-19. In addition, the Legislature intended for these funds to be used to prioritize services for underrepresented students. Los Rios is able to use this grant money to fund classified positions for the next five years that will support our student services and outreach efforts.
These categorical funded positions will cease on June 30, 2027. When the funding ends, Los Rios may eliminate these positions. If that happens, then the District will provide notices to all affected employees explaining their rights under the board policy, collective bargaining agreement, and Education Code.
Current Los Rios Board Policy and California Education Code address classified employee rights when positions end for lack of funds. Employees laid off first are those with the shortest length of service in their current class, plus higher classes in which the employee has served as a probationary or permanent employee.
(Education Code Article 88117, Education Code Article 88127; Los Rios Board Policy P-6136 and Administrative Regulation R-6136; LRCEA Contract 2021-24 Article A.16 (page 119); LRSA Contract 2018-21 Article A.16 (page 83))
Under California Education Code, there are a number of options available to employees serving in positions to be eliminated that include bumping rights to a previous position with seniority, reassignment, demotion to a vacant position, retirement, transfer to an equal class if qualified for the position, and/or a reduction in hours in lieu of layoff. If there are layoffs, then Los Rios will send a notice explaining these options in detail.
(Education Code Article 88015, Education Code Article 88017, Education Code Article 88117, Education Code Article 88127; Los Rios Board Policy P-6136 and Administrative Regulation R-6136; LRCEA Contract 2021-24 Article A.16 (page 119); LRSA Contract 2018-21 Article A.16 (page 83))
Length of service means all hours in a paid status in a probationary or permanent status in the classified service of Los Rios.
Yes, laid-off classified employees may be able to collect unemployment. Apply for unemployment the day after your last day of work on the Employment Development Department website.
If you receive health benefits from Los Rios and are laid off, then you are entitled to 18 months of continued COBRA coverage. However, you will have to pay the premiums yourself.
Questions?
Email Carrie Bray with any questions at brayc@losrios.edu.