The Grossmont Union High School District last week announced a collaborative agreement between the district’s school board and the Grossmont Education Association that will reinstate school-based Library Media Specialist positions at nine comprehensive high schools starting in the 2027–28 school year.
According to the district, the agreement was entered “in good faith and with the mutual desire to avoid the cost and expense associated with continued litigation” of the unfair practice charge filed by GEA with the California Public Employment Relations Board in November 2025.
The charge followed the district’s 2025 reduction in force, which eliminated site-based teacher-librarian positions and reassigned affected employees to classroom teaching positions at their respective schools, officials said.
“This agreement is focused on the future and serves the best interest of our East County community following a challenging period,” said Governing Board President Robert Shield. “I appreciate GEA’s partnership in reaching a resolution that represents a meaningful step forward and will help us work together to bring our Portrait of a Graduate to life.”
Under the agreement, the Board will rescind the February 27, 2025 reduction solely for the nine teacher-librarian positions.
Employees who previously held those roles will be offered reinstatement to their original positions at their schools, with duties resuming at the start of the 2027–28 school year. Specifically, reinstatement includes restoring their pre-reduction regular work schedules without a preparation period, the associated 10% stipend, and the Department Chair stipend as required by the operative collective bargaining agreement.
According to the district, the agreement does not include backpay, damages, penalties, or other financial relief as a result of the reinstatement. It also commits the District to not implementing a RIF or other related action affecting the Teacher-Librarian positions between now and June 30, 2029.
The agreement further states that it does not “constitute an admission of wrongdoing, contract or statutory violation, or liability on the part of either party.”