Two major school districts in the Sacramento area, Sacramento City Unified and Elk Grove Unified, have terminated their contracts with Point Quest, an agency that supplies behavioral aides for special education students. This move has prompted Point Quest to announce the layoff of 166 aides who were assigned to campuses within these districts.
The districts cite different reasons for the change, with Sacramento City Unified pointing to budget deficits and Elk Grove Unified aiming to increase its use of in-house staff. However, the decision has raised concerns among advocates for students with disabilities about the potential impact on classroom support.
Key Takeaways
- Sacramento City Unified and Elk Grove Unified school districts have ended their contracts with behavioral aide provider Point Quest.
- As a direct result, Point Quest is laying off 166 behavioral aides: 100 from Sacramento and 66 from Elk Grove.
- Sacramento City Unified attributes its decision to a $43 million budget deficit, aiming to cut costs.
- Elk Grove Unified stated its goal is to rely more on its own district employees for student support.
- Advocacy groups have expressed concern over the transition and its potential effect on services for students with special needs.
Contract Termination and Workforce Impact
The Sacramento City Unified School District (SCUSD) and the Elk Grove Unified School District (EGUSD) have officially ended their service agreements with Point Quest. The company provided critical on-campus support through behavioral aides who worked directly with special education students.
Following the termination of these agreements, Point Quest confirmed it would be laying off its affected staff. In total, 166 employees will lose their jobs. Of those, 100 aides worked within SCUSD schools, while the remaining 66 were placed in EGUSD campuses.
This decision represents a significant shift in how both districts manage specialized support services for their most vulnerable students. The move transitions responsibilities from an external contractor to internal district resources, a change that is being closely watched by parents and education advocates.
Layoffs by the Numbers
- Total Layoffs: 166
- Sacramento City Unified: 100 aides
- Elk Grove Unified: 66 aides
Districts Explain Their Reasoning
The two school districts provided different justifications for ending their relationship with Point Quest, reflecting their unique operational and financial situations.
Sacramento City Unified Cites Budget Deficit
SCUSD officials stated the decision was primarily driven by financial necessity. The district is currently facing a substantial $43 million budget deficit and is actively seeking ways to reduce expenditures. By ending the contract, the district aims to transition these roles to district employees, which it views as a more cost-effective model.
However, the district has acknowledged that filling these positions with its own staff has been a major challenge in recent years. "If we could staff these positions, we wouldn't need the contracts," the district stated, highlighting the persistent difficulty in recruiting for these roles.
Elk Grove Unified Focuses on In-House Staffing
Elk Grove Unified framed its decision as a strategic move to build internal capacity. In a statement, the district said it is "working to expand its reliance on its own employees to meet the needs of students." This approach suggests a long-term goal of having more direct control over the training and deployment of support staff.
This strategy, while potentially beneficial for consistency, has raised questions from community members about the district's readiness to handle the increased staffing demand without disrupting student services.
The Role of Behavioral Aides
Behavioral aides, often called instructional aides or paraeducators, provide one-on-one or small group support to students with special needs. Their duties can include behavior management, academic assistance, and helping students with daily tasks to ensure they can fully participate in the educational environment.
Advocates Raise Concerns for Students
The announcement has been met with significant concern from local advocacy organizations that work on behalf of students with disabilities. Groups are worried about the continuity of care and the potential for a reduction in the quality of support.
Amanda Scott, the CEO and president of EG SPEAKS, an advocacy group in Elk Grove, expressed deep concern about the broader implications of such changes. "What we're experiencing is segregation of disabled people in society and that starts with schools," she said, framing the issue as one of inclusion and rights.
Jencie Ferraro, the director of EG SPEAKS, questioned the logistics of the districts' plans. Her concerns center on the immediate future for students who rely on these aides.
"I worry about parents that don't know that they are trying to pull and shift and move supports for our students. Stating that they are going to rely on their district employees? Which district employees? Does that mean they are going to hire?"
Ferraro also suggested that low pay is a root cause of the staffing shortages that led districts to use contractors in the first place. "Why do you think there are so many vacancies for these positions? I think the pay scale is not enough," she remarked.
Transition Plans and District Assurances
In response to the concerns, both districts have outlined steps they are taking to manage the transition and have assured parents that student services will not be diminished.
SCUSD is actively trying to fill hundreds of vacant 1-to-1 instructional aide positions. The district has scheduled a hiring event for October 29 to recruit candidates directly. Officials insist that the change in providers will not result in a reduction of services for students.
Furthermore, SCUSD clarified that it is not ending all external contracts. The district will continue to work with two other agencies, Covelo Group and ProCare Therapy, for behavioral aide services. It also maintains other contracts with Point Quest for different services, including nonpublic school placements and speech therapy.
"A lot of our students need that support, and they need to keep their dignity," Ferraro added, emphasizing the critical nature of the support these aides provide.
Point Quest Responds to Contract Changes
Point Quest issued a statement addressing the layoffs and its relationship with the school districts. The company described the situation as a result of ongoing contract discussions.
The agency noted that it is currently in "renewal discussions with the districts" and therefore could not share specific details about programs or school sites. This suggests the possibility of future partnerships, though the current contracts for behavioral aides have ended.
In its statement, Point Quest affirmed its dedication to the students it serves.
"While this has been a difficult decision, our commitment to our mission remains steadfast: to support students with special needs and ensure they receive the high-quality care they deserve in their educational settings."
The situation remains fluid as both districts work to implement their new staffing models and advocates monitor the impact on special education classrooms across Sacramento County.