School district extends its hiring freeze

The Conejo Valley Unified School District board approved a hiring freeze in the district for the second year in a row to save money.

Jeff Baarstad, deputy superintendent of business services, said that last year’s freeze saved the district as much as $1.7 million.

“Each time there’s a retirement or resignation we ask ourselves a series of questions, including, ‘Do we need to replace this person?’” Baarstad said.

Baarstad said they hope a replacement isn’t needed. But if it is, they try to fill the position internally.

“That way we can free up a job that doesn’t need a replacement,” he said. “Or we try to replace positions with substitutes, who don’t get benefits. The money we save can help us in reducing cuts (to jobs) down the line.”

Although the district’s work force was downsized about 5 percent, Baarstad said it’s still possible to see about 95 percent of last year’s savings—it all depends on how many people choose to quit or retire.

“We hope to incrementally save hundreds of thousands of dollars this year to help offset some of these costs,” Baarstad said.

The district employs about 2,000 people, including approximately 1,200 teachers, 700 classified employees and 75 people in management positions.