Mar 12, 2025; Washington, D.C, USA; Chloe Kienzle of Arlington walks past the U.S. Department of Education building in Washington to show support for teachers the day after staff were notified all Department of Education facilities will be closed Wednesday and an announcement that the department will be cutting its workforce by nearly half. Mandatory Credit: Josh Morgan-USA TODAY
La Mesa, California – In a tense and emotionally charged meeting Thursday night, the Grossmont Union High School District Board of Education voted 4-1 to approve the layoffs of 58 staff members, sparking outrage from students, teachers, and community members. The decision, months in the making, brings sweeping cuts across the district, including 10 assistant or vice principals, nine librarians, eight English teachers, and several counselors, psychologists, and special education staff.
The vote came after a series of impassioned board meetings and protests, with hundreds turning out once again Thursday night to rally, plead, and perform in support of their teachers. Outside Grossmont High School’s theater, students danced and music played in a final show of solidarity before the board’s fateful decision. For many, the layoffs felt deeply personal.
“It’s like a funeral right now in the arts program,” said sophomore Toby Mishler, referencing the imminent layoff of dance teacher Caryn Ipapo-Glass.
Trustee Chris Fite, the only dissenting vote, attempted to amend the resolution and voiced frustration at what he saw as a lack of transparency and direction. “What is the vision? What’s the direction? I’m on the board and I don’t know what it is,” he said.
District leaders defended the move, citing looming structural deficits and declining enrollment. Interim Superintendent Sandra Huezo said the layoffs would help address projected budget shortfalls and realign staffing levels to match current needs. “We have over 200 more full-time positions than in 2017-2018, even as enrollment has declined,” she noted.
But for many in attendance, those numbers didn’t justify the cuts. They questioned why the district wouldn’t tap into its reserves or pursue other cost-saving alternatives.
The evening ended not only with the layoffs but also with a bombshell: the board had quietly approved a $186,500 severance agreement during closed session for Chief of Staff Jerry Hobbs, a controversial figure whose return to the district has raised eyebrows due to his involvement in a prior investigation and his role in crafting his own reinstatement terms.
While Hobbs denied any wrongdoing, documents suggest he inserted a clause into his previous settlement guaranteeing tenure, which some legal experts say may have been improper. The new settlement nullifies that clause and ends his employment effective June 30.
