The board overseeing Ventura, Oxnard and Moorpark colleges eliminated 34 positions April 13.
Positions included four deans, two disabled services employees and three counseling assistants, the total count coming to 24 classified positions and five management.
“I work just as hard as everyone else, so I deserve a right, a privilege and a place to continue my work and continue to contribute,” said Brian Hu, director of institutional research, who was among those who lost their jobs.
The Ventura County Community College District board of trustees voted on the cuts, eliminating 28 occupied and four vacant positions.
The district will save $2.25 million through the cuts, which brings it closer to closing the budget gap of $6.5 million, according to Director of Administrative Services Claire Geisen.
“Anytime you are affecting individual lives, it’s difficult.” said Sue Johnson, vice chancellor of business and administrative services. “It’s necessary to balance the budget.”
Joaquin Flores, chief negotiator for Service Employee’s International Union, spoke out against the cuts and suggested using the district’s reserve fund estimated at $8.8 miliion, according to Johnson.
“This is exactly the sort of rainy day that reserves are there for,” said Flores.
Flores said that the union was considering saving six of the jobs through almost four days of furloughs, which was still in negotiations with the district.
“They would furlough a lot more if it meant saving jobs,” said Flores.
Flores also worried about the impact on the students.
“Students should be very concerned, students should probably start coming to board meetings,” said Flores. “They’re going to notice much longer lines, students are going to find it really hard to graduate on time.”
Current Moorpark College Classified Senate President Kim Watters said she understands the board’s decision, even though her husband Greg Watters, who works in Maintenance and Operations, lost his job.
“It’s tough times, everyone has bills,” said Watters. “Everyone has debts.”
